Bush supports EU efforts on Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

Source: Xinhua | 01-11-2009 08:49

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- In a phone call with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, U.S. President George W. Bush said he supports the EU efforts to solve the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, the White House said on Saturday.

"The president welcomed the Czech-led EU efforts to help resolve the energy crisis by ensuring natural gas begins flowing again from Russia to Ukraine and Europe," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe in a statement.

The phone call came after Topolanek, whose country has been holding the rotating EU presidency, brokered an agreement with Moscow to create a mechanism to monitor Russia's gas delivery to Europe through Ukraine.

The agreement needs also to be signed by Ukraine to come into force.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told Topolanek in Moscow that Russia will resume gas shipments to Europe through Ukraine as soon as the monitoring mechanism gets down to work.

Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on Jan. 1 over the dispute of gas price and debt, and shut down gas flows intended for Europe via Ukraine on Wednesday, leaving at least 18 European countries in gas shortage.

About 80 percent of Russian gas to Europe is shipped via Ukraine. 　

Editor:Xiong