EurActiv: Trilateral gas talks with Russia fail
Following a trilateral meeting with the EU and Ukraine in Warsaw on 2 May, Russia threatened to cut natural gas supplies to Kyiv in June if it receives no prepayment in an escalating row against the background of growing political tensions.
Relations between Russia and the West have fallen to their lowest ebb since the Cold War following Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and the outbreak of clashes involving pro-Russia militia in the east of the country.
"If we don't receive pre-payment for June by 31 May, then it is possible Gazprom will reduce gas supplies to Ukraine or provide it with the capacity it has paid for by 31 May," Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said during joint talks in Warsaw between Russia, Ukraine and European Commission.