Desperate to see Ukraine repay its gas debt on its own, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on European governments to assist Kiev because otherwise they risk receiving less gas, which has prompted the US to accuse Moscow of using energy as a tool of coercion. Putin sent a letter to leaders of 18 European countries on Thursday to persuade them to solve the Ukrainian gas debt problem together. According to his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by business daily Kommersant, Moscow wants to hold consultations as soon as possible with representatives of each of the 18 countries that buy Russian gas rather than with the European Commission.
展开▼
