Russia and Ukraine postpone signing gas deal

By Aussiegirl

It ain't over till it's over.

BBC NEWS | Business | Russia-Ukraine gas deal on hold


Europeans are concerned about disruption to gas supplies
Russia and Ukraine have postponed the signing of a controversial gas deal, planned for Saturday, until next week.
The reason given for putting off the signing was that some details needed to be finalised.

But the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Ukraine says it is likely that there were also political reasons for the delay.

The deal was reached earlier this month after Russia suspended gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day, a move that affected several other countries.

Opposition to the deal in Ukraine led to political deadlock, and questions over whether the government had the authority to sign the agreement, which will double the price Kiev pays for gas.