Russia shut off all gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine on Wednesday leaving more than a dozen countries
scrambling to cope. Tens of thousands of people, mostly in Bulgaria, are without gas for heating.
"Well it is very serious, and it will get more serous before it gets better. We have a prolonged cold snap."
Russia and Ukraine blamed each for the cut off. The E.U. accused both nations of using consumers as pawns.
Both have since agreed to let international monitors track transport.
"Russia wishes more than economic success. It wishes influence, political influence, particularly in what
it sees in zones of privileged interests." Russian and Ukrainian talks borke down last month. Ukrainian
pipelines transport about 80 percent of Russia's gas exports to Europe. Russia wants to charge its cold
war ally more for the energy provides. Ukraine countered that proposal by threatening to raise Russia's
fees for using Ukraine pipelines.
"Where military means are not possible, not feasible, then enery is the primary weapon which the Russians
can deploy." Schools and kindergartens are temporarily closed down. A Bosnian gas operator says the
situation is close to a humanitarian disaster. E.U leaders demand that Russia and Ukrain settle the dispute
immediately. The two countries are expected to restart talks on Thursday.
Dianne Kepley, The Associated Press.
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* leave + 목 + ing : ~을 (어떤상태가) 되게 하다, 내버려두다, 방치하다
* scramble to : ~하려고 애쓰다
* cope : 대처하다
* prolonged : 질질 끄는, 장기의(long)
* a cold snap : 갑작스런 추위
: snap - 기후의 급변
* pawn : 전당(잡힌 상태), 저당물, 담보물, 인질, 볼모, ~을 저당잡히다, 담보로 넣다
* track : 추적하다, 감시하다
* privileged : 특권 계급에 속하는; (…할) 특권[특전]이 있는[to do]
* break down : 결렬되다
* pipeline : (물·석유·가스 따위의) 수송관, 도관로(導管路)
* charge : ~에 부과하다
* counter by : …로 대항하다, 반격하다
* feasible : 실현 가능한, 실행할 수 있는
* deploy : 효율적으로 활용하다, 전개하다, 배치하다
* settle : ~을 매듭짓다, 안정시키다
* dispute : 논쟁, 분쟁, 논쟁하다
