Gas crisis bites, as temperatures plunge

As winter bites, Russia’s energy dispute with Ukraine has cut and threatened to cut gas supplies across Europe and Turkey. The European Union, dependent on Moscow for a quarter of its gas, has called for a solution this week. The countries worst affected so far are Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, Greece and Croatia, who say flows of Russian gas via Ukraine have come to a halt.

Austria says deliveries are down 90 percent. Romania says they are down 75 percent and Slovakia 70 percent. The latter is preparing to declare a state of emergency. Germany has warned it could experience gas shortages if the dispute drags on. The Head of Ukraine’s state energy firm has said he will fly to Moscow for talks on Thursday.

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tags: European Union, Russia