Russia-Ukraine Spat Leaves Europe in the Cold

Hundreds of thousands of freezing Europeans are waiting for Russia and Ukraine to resolve a pricing dispute, while EU officials engage in scramblepants diplomacy to get the natural gas flowing again. Russia has accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas, which runs from Mother Russia through Ukraine and into Europe, where some areas are very, very cold.

BBC:

Ukraine and the EU are trying to iron out glitches that have stalled a deal with Russia to resolve a gas dispute.

Russia has said it cannot implement an agreement with Ukraine to resume gas flows to Europe, accusing Ukraine of adding “unacceptable” conditions.

Several European countries have been left without gas in severe winter weather as the dispute rumbles on.

Read more

Flickr / ppz

Snow blankets Moscow’s Red Square.