Ukraine agrees to Russia-EU gas monitor deal

Ukraine agreed to sign a new accord on the independent monitoring of natural gas flows from Russian gas giant Gazprom, paving the way for the resumption of gas transit through the country, Gazprom said this morning. Gazprom said that Ukraine dropped conditions that it opposed and imperiled the deal, including statements that Ukraine did not stop gas transit on its own and did not siphone off Russian transit gas. By Saturday evening, EU monitors had reached most of their destinations and were ready to start their work – a requirement, under terms of the accord, for Russia to resume gas exports. The EU is due to convene a meeting today in Brussels with the energy ministers from each member country. According to Bloomberg, once the gas starts to flow to Ukraine, it could take about 36 hours for it to reach the EU. At least 20 European countries were affected by the gas stoppage.