Duma warns of possible gas cutoff

A Russian energy official has warned that the government is prepared to cut off natural gas deliveries to Ukraine. This would happen if Kiev siphons off gas intended for European consumers. Most Russian gas deliveries to Europe transit Ukraine through export pipelines.

Russia is the EU's largest energy supplier, providing 20 percent of the bloc's natural gas through Ukrainian pipelines.

On Wednesday, Russia warned that it is prepared to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine if it siphons off Europe-bound gas from transit pipelines.

Moscow says any such move would be taken for financial, not political reasons.

Yuri Lipatov, Chairman of Energy Committee of Russian Duma, said, "If there is money, there will be gas. If there is no money, all the gas will go to Europe. Should Ukraine become brazen again and start siphoning off transit gas for its own needs, the valve will be shut down."