WJR supported countries are left without gas supplies
The most recent dispute over gas prices between Russia and Ukraine has left much of Europe with a diminished gas supply during a bitter winter that has seen temperatures drop as low as minus 27C. Europe receives 80% of its gas from Russia via the Ukrainian pipeline, leaving the continent at the mercy of the squabbling nations.
Following lengthy disputes over the levels Ukraine should pay for Russian gas, on January 1, Russia shut off supplies to Ukraine whilst promising that Europe would not be affected by the action. However, in the days that followed, nations have faced difficulties. Both nations have their own explanation for the drop in transfers: Ukraine claims that Russia shut off all gas transfers via the Ukrainian pipeline, while Russia maintains that Ukraine is siphoning off gas into its own reserves. The EU is currently negotiating for monitors to assess the situation.
Ukraine, suffering from high inflation and dependent upon an IMF loan to keep its economy afloat, actually has enough gas in its own reserves to see its citizens through the winter (having learned its lesson in 2006, last time this happened). Other nations, are not as well prepared: Bulgaria receives 92% of its gas through Ukraine and as such has been extremely hard hit -- more than 15,000 households are currently without heating and the country is looking to reboot an old nuclear power plant to cover the shortfall. Ukraine has been supplying Moldova from its own reserves since they rely on Russian gas normally. It is expected that Moldova has 24 hours of gas in its reserves on 12th January. Ukraine also undertook to provide Bulgaria with gas from its reserves.
Among those other countries suffering are Poland and Serbia -- Poland has experienced a shortfall of 11% in its gas supply.
10th January saw a deal between Ukraine, Russia and the EU for the resumption of services but 11th January saw the same deal fall apart. Negotiations to seal the agreement are ongoing but it could take days before the pipelines are fully restored. However, the dispute is not fully resolved. Russia started distributing gas today via Ukraine, but officials believe it could take up to 36 hours for the gas to pass into waiting European Countries. Gazprom have contradicted this, insisting the gas should arrive in Europe almost immediately.
