Cold weather so painful that even winter-hardened Russians complained about it has gripped Moscow and much of the rest of the country.

Russian and Ukrainian officials aimed to resume negotiations tonight on resolving a price dispute that led to a cut-off of Ukraine’s natural gas supply, but Russia gave no indication it was in the mood for compromise.

European buyers of Gazprom’s natural gas today said they were receiving full supplies after the Russian monopoly increased shipments through Ukraine.

Western Europe was warned that its supplies of gas could be hit if Russia carries out its threat to cut off fuel to Ukraine on New Year’s Day.

Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom today criticised a proposal by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to freeze the price of gas it supplies to Ukraine until January 10.