End in sight to gas dispute

An end to the gas supply crisis in Europe appeared to be close tonight after Russia vowed to restore full services once observers are in place to check flows through Ukraine.

The delegation of official monitors, to be dispatched by the EU, could be in place in two days, effectively policing a row in which Russia's state-controlled gas company Gazprom has accused Ukraine's Naftogaz of siphoning off supplies intended for elsewhere in Europe.