The United States
on Thursday urged Russia
and Ukraine
to resume negotiations to resolve a natural gas dispute which has led to a
supply cut which could threaten western Europe.
"The U.S.
is urging both parties to resume negotiations," U.S. Ambassador to the
European Union, Kristen Silverberg, said in a statement.
"We believe this dispute can be resolved without any further interruption
in gas supply, which could have humanitarian implications this winter,"
she added.
Early Thursday Russia halted deliveries of natural gas to the Ukraine
after Moscow failed to agree a new supply deal with its neighbor during
last-minute talks the previous evening, but flows of Russian gas to Europe
continued as normal.
A delegation from Kiev was locked
in negotiations at the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly OAO Gazprom
(GAZP.RS) Wednesday as Ukraine's
supply contract expired Dec. 31, but Ukraine
rejected a Russian offer to increase 2009 prices, prompting Gazprom to switch
off the taps.