PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has threatened to send British gas prices soaring by cutting off Russia’s vital European pipelines through Ukraine.
Putin said he would stop supplies unless Ukraine paid in advance for all its gas.
And in a stark letter to 18 world leaders, Putin said in such a “critical situation” gas deliveries to the European Union would also be jeopardised.
Europe buys a third of its gas from Russia, about half of which arrives through pipelines running across Ukraine.
Putin accused the EU of causing the current crisis, leaving Russia “no alternative” but to get tough.
Ukraine depends on Russia for almost all of its gas while EU countries rely on it to varying degrees, with 80% of Hungary’s gas coming via Ukraine.
Although Britain receives its gas through the Netherlands, a European shortage would spark a continent-wide scramble for the limited supply, sending prices soaring.
Putin has already deployed between 35,000 and 40,000 troops on Ukraine’s eastern frontier, raising the possibility of a full-scale invasion.
Yesterday, Nato released satellite pictures of the assembled military, showing tanks, helicopters and MiG-31 jet fighters close to the border.
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