Russia accuses Ukraine of blocking gas supplies

Russia’s Gazprom state gas monopoly today accused Ukraine of blocking Russian gas deliveries to Europe.

Gazprom Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev said Ukraine’s pipeline system failed to carry Russian gas westward to Europe after Russia resumed supplies shortly after 10 am Moscow time (7am Irish Time).

Russia has accused Ukraine of stealing gas intended for Europe, and restarted supplies only after a EU-led monitoring mission was deployed.

But the Gazprom deputy chairman said Ukraine is keeping its pipelines closed for gas transit to Europe even though Russia resumed pumping.