BERLIN — For the past several winters, companies and households, especially in Eastern Europe, have had to brace themselves for the annual energy spat between Russia and Ukraine. This year is no exception. Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, begins talks with Ukraine this month over what it will charge for its energy. Already they are disagreeing. But this time Europeans are well prepared. Storage facilities in some countries are full. The weather is mild. Europe has access to natural gas from other sources.

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