Swedes may help resolve Ukraine's gas bill

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A European Union delegation headed to Ukraine after nine countries reported natural gas supply problems due to Ukraine's dispute with Gazprom over a bill.

Nine countries, including Turkey, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, have reported pressure drops in natural gas pipelines between 5 percent and 30 percent. Greece reported drops of up to 33 percent after Gazprom said it would cut Ukraine's deliveries New Year's Day, The Times of London reported Monday.

The pipeline supplies Ukraine and Western Europe.

Gazprom contends Ukraine owes $600 million in late fees. Gazprom has also increased its price for Ukraine's 2009 contract from $250 per 1,000 cubic meters to $450 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the previous price was offered for "fraternal" reasons, The Times said.

The crisis has prompted renewed cries for Europe to diversify its energy supply, which some say revolves around political disagreements.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet of Estonia said it was "abnormal when presidents negotiate a gas price."

Two German newspapers reported Russia's state-run energy company Gazprom has said it was willing to settle the dispute through the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish news service Tidningarnas Telegrambyra reported.