Russia's state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom has accused Ukraine of siphoning off supplies destined for Europe.
The European Union said its monitors were warning that barely
a trickle, if that, was coming through to third countries.
Ukraine's state energy firm Neftogaz says the pipeline route Gazprom asked
for could not be provided without cutting off supplies to parts of its own
territory.
Moscow and Kiev have been locked in a row over fees which has left European
countries struggling for gas in freezing winter temperatures.