Russian natural gas flowing to Europe

PARIS, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Russian natural gas was reaching Europe in full measure Friday, one day after Russia cut supplies to Ukraine in a contract dispute, the European Union said.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said Friday Russia and Ukraine were honoring their promise to maintain natural gas supplies to their European customers, reported RIA Novosti, the Russian news agency.

Russia cut its natural gas supplies to Ukraine Thursday after talks on a 2009 contract broke down, but increased shipments to European countries.

The European Union urged both sides to continue discussions, RIA Novosti said.

"All existing commitments to supply and transit (natural gas) must be honored," the European Union, the Czech Republic and the European Commission said in a joint statement.

Recurring disputes between Moscow and Kiev have raised concerns among European countries about Russia's reliability as a supplier, the Russian news agency said. Ukraine transports about 80 percent of Russian gas, shipped to EU members.