Russia reopens gas pipes but little fuel flows

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-13 23:23

SUDZHA – Russia started pumping gas destined for Europe through Ukraine on Tuesday for the first time in nearly a week, but the European Union said little or no gas was flowing to countries suffering urgent energy shortages.

An employee stands in front of a pipe at a gas pumping station owned by Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom in Sudzha January 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly, Gazprom, accused Ukraine of siphoning off the gas for its own use. Ukraine blamed a lack of coordination for hampering the flow.

Moscow and Kiev are locked in a contract dispute which has left European countries struggling for gas supplies with winter temperatures below freezing. Their relations deteriorated when Ukraine elected pro-Western leaders in 2004.

Gazprom said Ukraine's actions in the gas row were being orchestrated by the United States.

"We believed yesterday that the door for Russian gas was open but again it's been blocked by the Ukrainians," Gazprom Deputy CEO, Alexander Medvedev, said.

"It looks like... they are dancing to the music which is being orchestrated not in Kiev but outside the country."

Medvedev said he was referring to an agreement signed between Ukraine and the United States.

Ukraine's state energy firm Naftogaz said there had not been enough coordination over the routes chosen for the gas and the volumes shipped to ensure the smooth transit across Ukraine.

"This seriously violates the established practice of reliable functioning of the gas transit system," it said in a statement.

Moscow is still refusing to supply gas for Ukraine itself because of their contract dispute.

Taps opened

A reporter at Russia's Sudzha pumping station near the border with Ukraine said the gas taps were opened soon after 10:00 a.m. (2 a.m. EST).

"Gas is now flowing through the first line," said a technician at the pumping station, operated by Gazprom.

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