You're reading: Russia energy minister sees no New Year gas war with Kyiv

MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said on Dec. 15 he expects no problems with Ukraine over gas supplies at New Year.

"There is no basis for any sort of sensation around New Year. There is no basis to expect that problems will arise," Shmatko told a news briefing.

A dispute between Russia and Ukraine led to gas supplies to Europe being cut off in January 2009, leaving millions of homes without heat and damaging industry. Europe receives a fifth of its gas from Russia via Ukraine. (Reporting by Anton Doroshev, writing by Robin Paxton).