Reuters: Ukraine's gas dispute could mean cold winter for Central, East Europe

Central and south-eastern Europe could face higher gas prices and potential shortages this winter, as a prolonged price row between Russia and Ukraine heightens regional supply fears.

The former Soviet-bloc countries, many of which receive most or all of their gas from Russia via Ukraine, have been scrambling to fill storage tanks and arrange alternate supply sources to prepare for the winter heating season.

In June, Russian natural gas exporter Gazprom cut off gas deliveries for use by Ukraine in a dispute over unpaid bills, raising concerns of a disruption of supplies to the rest of Europe.

So far, Ukraine has continued to send gas to the European Union under transit obligations it has with Russia and EU member states.
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