Ukraine cuts off cheap Russian gas supply to EU, Slovakia threatens refugee aid cuts in retaliation
Live MintRussia halted gas supply to Europe this week after Ukraine refused to renew a five-year transit deal. A video message posted on Facebook said the Smer party would consider cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, lowering aid to Ukrainian refugees, and demanding the renewal of gas transits or compensation for losses suffered by Slovakia. Meanwhile the Hammerfest liquefied natural gas plant in Norway has also halted operations until January 9 due to a compressor failure. Thousands have also been left without heating and hot water in the Transnistria region after Russian gas supplies were cut. The other country has been pumping about 2 billion cubic metres of gas per year to Transdniestria - including the power plant which also provided energy for the whole of Moldova.