Russia/Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to allow European Union observers to monitor the supply of gas intended for Europe. Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, says an accord will be signed at a meeting in Brussels on Jan. 8. Representatives of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom and its Ukrainian counterpart Naftogaz will also be present to discuss a possible solution to their dispute. Russia and Ukraine have been embroiled for weeks in a row over alleged late payments and a new pricing deal. On Jan.5, Gazprom completely suspended the supply of gas to Ukraine after an earlier partial cessation. (Radio Netherlands)