Gas Supplies Drop, EU Plays Down Dispute

Bulgaria's Deputy Energy Minister Galina Tosheva said Bulgaria's reserves would last for about a month at the current level of consumption, she said.

Hungary, dependent on Russia for about half of its gas, said its supplies were down about 20%. Energy Affairs Minister Csaba Molnar said it was "not a significant amount," adding that Hungary would be able to rely on its own reserves if necessary.

Romania, which gets about a third of its gas from Russia, said it had enough reserves, while the Czech Republic said it was covering a 5% deficit from reserves and supplies from Norway.

Poland, which reported a 11% drop in deliveries through Ukraine, said Gazprom was covering the shortfall in full by sending gas through a separate pipeline that crosses Belarus. Germany, which gets gas through Belarus, said it was receiving its gas in full.

The EU is confident that "there there is going to be no problem of supply in the coming weeks for end consumers in Europe," EU spokesman Ferran Tarradalles said.

An EU mission was to arrive Monday evening in Kiev. After meeting with Ukrainian energy and other officials, the mission was to meet later in the week with officials of Russia's state-controlled gas giant Gazprom.

During a similar dispute between Ukraine and Russia in 2006, several West European countries saw their gas supplies drop by 30% or more. This time Gazprom's customers were better prepared, having built up substantial reserves.

While the previous gas cutoff was seen as punishment for Ukraine's pro-Western policies, this time Gazprom is insisting it is a commercial dispute. Both countries are seeking to prove they are a reliable energy partner for the EU.