Ukraine shut off the gas, Gazprom says

BERLIN, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Ukraine shut off three of its export gas pipelines to Europe, leaving Gazprom with few options to supply its European customers, Gazprom officials said.

Gazprom Vice President Alexander Medvedev told German television Tuesday that Ukraine shut off gas pipelines to Western and Central Europe overnight, the Interfax news agency reported.

"As a result, irrespective of our desire to supply gas to European consumers, we have been deprived of a physical opportunity to supply gas to Europe at full volume," he said.

Medvedev said Gazprom would utilize the 1,900-mile Yamal-Europe pipeline through Belarus and other routes to make up for gas shortages from the Ukrainian disruption.

"Unfortunately, at present we are unable to compensate for the gas stolen by Ukraine because three main transit pipelines have been shut," he lamented.

Gazprom said it needs a new price term for 2009 to continue with gas transits through Ukraine. Ukraine hosts the majority of the pipeline networks bringing Russian gas to Europe.