Russia halts gas supply to Ukraine amid pricing dispute

MOSCOW: Russian gas giant Gazprom says it has halted supplies to neighboring Ukraine after the collapse of pricing talks.

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said Russia halted the supply at 10 a.m. Moscow time on Wednesday because Ukraine did not pay the advance for the July delivery.

Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on future supplies. The Ukrainian minister said the discount that Russia offered wasn't enough and that Ukraine will buy gas from other countries starting Wednesday until an agreement is reached.

Gas consumption is low at this time of year, allowing Ukraine to bargain for better terms.

Pricing disputes between Russia and Ukraine in the past have led to gas wars, leaving other European nations without heating in the dead of winter.

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