EU Orders Russia To Restore Gas Deliveries To Europe In 24 Hours

January 7, 2009 9:38 a.m. EST

Kiev, Ukraine (AHN) - The rift between Russian energy company Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz worsened after Gazprom shut of its pipelines to Europe 7:44 a.m. on Wednesday. At least a dozen EU members are affected by the move, which left thousands of people across the continent without heating gas.

Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing its gas, which Russia stopped shipments to Kiev after the two nations failed to agree on contract prices and shipment fees for 2009.

The EU did not take the Russian move sitting down. It mandated Gazprom to restore within 24 hours gas deliveries, done through pipelines which pass through Ukraine. If Russia would fail to heed the EU's warning, Czech Prime Minister Merek Topolanek said the EU will treat the conflict as a political and diplomatic affront on the 27-member regional bloc. The Czech Republic holds the rotating EU presidency from January to June.

Topolanek said a strong EU intervention would take place if Gazprom will fail to resume gas deliveries to Europe by Thursday. European nations affected by the rift between Russia and Ukraine include Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.