In the run-up to a fresh round of gas price negotiations Ukraine promised Friday that there would be no resumption of an energy war with Russia, despite an escalating public spat between Gazprom and Kyiv's Naftogaz. Repeated failure to reach an agreement on a new price formula for gas contracts has prompted fears of a new standoff. The Kremlin shut off gas supplies in the dead of winter three years ago, hitting Central European consumers. Ukraine claims it has been forced to pay $12 billion to $15 billion in excess charges as spot prices have fallen since the 2009 deal with Moscow. Read more.
