Way cleared for resumption of gas supplies, says EU

MOSCOW has agreed to the deployment of international monitors to oversee the transit of Russian gas to EU states via Ukraine, clearing the way for the resumption of European gas supplies, the Czech EU presidency said.

Earlier yesterday, a senior Czech official said Russia’s gas export monopoly Gazprom had baulked at a deal, insisting Russian monitors be allowed inside Ukraine, which it says is stealing gas piped to EU markets across its territory.

The breakthrough came after talks between Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and German and Russian leaders.