Sapa-AFP: Russia orders Ukraine to pre-pay for gas

Europe faced the prospect of imminent energy shortages Thursday after Russia ordered crisis-hit Ukraine to pay upfront for all its natural gas deliveries because of billions of dollars in debts.

The largely-anticipated announcement imperils supplies to a large swathe of the European Union because nearly 15 percent of all Russian gas consumed by the 28-nation bloc transits through Ukraine.

The ex-Soviet nation has refused to meet the deadline in protest over Russia's decision to nearly double the price it charges its neighbour for gas imports following the February overthrow of Kiev's Kremlin-backed regime.

Russia's energy ministry said Ukraine had missed a Wednesday deadline to pay debts worth $3.5 billion (2.5 billion euros) and that all gas sent from June 1 will have to be paid in advance.
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