Russia, EU sign deal to help end gas crisis

[Robbien]

Source: Guardian

MOSCOW/KIEV, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Russia and the European Union signed a deal on Saturday aimed at restoring Russian gas supplies via Ukraine, whose cut-off has plunged large parts of Europe into a mid-winter energy crisis.

Ukraine has yet to sign the deal, which would allow EU, Ukrainian and Russian observers to monitor the gas flows across its territory and assuage Russian fears that Ukraine is siphoning off fuel for its own use. Kiev denies the charge.

"Let's sign and we will go immediately to Kiev to ask the same of the Ukrainian side. And so we will end the crisis," Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, representing the EU presidency, said after five hours of talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"As soon as the mechanism of control starts working, we will send the gas to the system. If we see that it is stolen again, we will again cut flows," Putin said.

The dispute, which began when Russia and Ukraine could not agree on this year's gas prices, has led to the worst ever disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8230549

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Sounds reasonable.