Russia, Ukraine and gas: Pipe down

The annual gas squabble between Russia and Ukraine turns nastier—to the alarm of much of Europe IT STARTED as an ordinary gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, of the sort that has occurred every winter since January 2006, when Russia first cut off gas supplies to its neighbour. But it has since grown into the biggest energy emergency the European Union has seen in years. Just before the new year, European consumers received a letter from Alexei Miller, head of Gazprom, Russia’s gas giant. “Gazprom is doing everything possible to avoid any disruption of gas deliveries to Europe,” it said. “However, if events develop along an unfavourable scenario, the problem of Ukrainian transit will be a common problem for Russia and Europe.” ... (link)