aside 3 Feb

Kiev blames Moscow for Europe gas cutbacks (AP)

FILE- A gas pipeline worker, checks the valves at the gas pumping station at Pisarevka, Russia, in this file photo dated Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. European nations, that get much of their natural gas supplies from a trans-Russia-Ukraine pipeline, reported significant cutbacks in supplies Thursday Feb. 2, 2012, although the cut is disputed by Ukraine, as winter temperatures across Europe plunged to record lows. (AP Photo/Svetlana Kozlenko, file)AP – Ukraine’s government is blaming Russia for natural gas shortages in some European countries as a severe cold spell grips the region.