Friday May 29, 07:10 PM
Ukraine-Russia gas situation 'very serious': Putin
MOSCOW (AFP) - Ukraine's problems in paying its bills for Russian gas have created a "exceptionally serious" situation, Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Friday, again urging the EU to help out.
"The problem surrounding the transit (of gas to the rest of Europe) in Ukraine is very serious and doesn't just involve Russia and Ukraine," Putin said in a statement on his website.
Kiev had to settle its bill for the gas intended for its own consumption and for the gas destined for stocking in underground reservoirs ahead of the colder months, before June 7, said Putin.
He renewed his call to the European Union to join Russia in providing credit to Ukraine to avoid triggering another gas crisis, such as the one that led Moscow to cut off supplies to Ukraine in January.
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said earlier Friday he would raise the issue with EU leaders but warned the bloc could not pay Kiev's bills, after Putin contacted him to discuss the matter.
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