On Wednesday morning, Russian state gas company Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, after Ukraine declined to make an advance payment for July's shipment amid failed pricing negotiations. "Gazprom is not going to send gas to Ukraine at any price without the advance payment," said CEO Alexei Miller, as quoted in Russian media.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia's energy ministers broke down on Tuesday, and Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz said it wouldn't agree to Russia's offer. Russia and Ukraine fight over gas imports with some frequency, and Ukraine said it will buy gas from elsewhere in Europe until Russia lowers its price. Ukraine assured Europe that Russian gas deliveries to the rest of the continent through Ukrainian pipelines won't be interrupted. Ukraine uses far less gas in the summer than the frigid winter months, strengthening Kiev's bargaining position.
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