Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. Russia, Ukraine Trade Accusations in Gas Dispute ------------------------------------------------ http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1069E4D:3919ACA Ukraine denies charge, says gas supplies either imported from Turkmenistan or come from Ukraine's underground reserves Russia's natural gas monopoly Gazprom headquarters with a flag showing the company's logo on the foreground seen in Moscow, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006Russia says neighboring Ukraine is stealing gas that is supposed to go on to western Europe, a charge officials in Kiev deny. The accusations come amid the bitter dispute between the two countries over gas prices, which is now also affecting other countries in Europe. Russian officials say Ukraine is siphoning gas out of a pipeline that passes through its territory carrying gas to western Europe. Ukrainian officials deny this, but say they could take such a measure soon if necessary. The flow of gas has decreased since Sunday when Russia cut off supplies to its neighbor in a dispute over prices. But the action is also affecting countries including Poland, Hungary and Austria. Officials in Hungary say supplies have gone down by 40 percent since Sunday. Russia wants to quadruple the price of gas sold to Ukraine, from the current $50 to $230 per 1,000 cubic meters. Ukraine responds that any increase should be phased in gradually and accuses Moscow of applying political pressure. One year ago pro-Western president Viktor Yushchenko took power in Ukraine, leading to a strain in relations. Roland Nash with Renaissance Capital in Moscow says there are both political and economic issues involved. "Clearly it is better for Gazprom to get paid more for its gas," he said. "But it is more than coincidence that this takes place after a more pro-European, anti-Russian regime is in place in Ukraine." The gas dispute comes as Russia is taking over the G-8 group of industrialized nations for 2006. President Vladimir Putin says his primary goal for the year will be to increase energy security, a logical step given Russia's position as one of the world's major energy exporters. But the dispute with Ukraine is raising concern that Moscow can use its vast gas and oil reserves to apply a big stick when necessary. Europe depends on Russia for up to half of its supply of natural gas, along with a large amount of its oil.