VOA标准英语2009年-Ukraine: Gas Talks With Russia to Resume Thursd

Ukraine and Russia are expressing concern about their image as reliable gas suppliers amid growing gas shortages in Europe, for which Moscow and Kyiv are blaming each other. European officials warn of a crisis across region as a dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supplies halted or significantly reduced deliveries to at least 10 countries.
　

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (file photo)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin authorized¹ gas cut-backs to Ukraine late Monday.

"Okay, I agree. Start reductions today," he said.

He gave the go-ahead based on a recommendation made toward the end of a nationally televised meeting with Alexei Miller², the chairman of Russia's Gazprom state energy monopoly.

Before dawn the Bulgarian Economy and Energy Ministry³ reported gas deliveries to that country, as well as transit⁴ to Turkey, Greece and Macedonia had been halted. The ministry scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Bulgaria.

The Czech Republic is reporting deliveries are off by 75 percent and Austria's are down by 90.

The European Union is calling for immediate⁵ resumption of gas deliveries and negotiations⁶ to settle the Russia-Ukraine dispute.
　

Russian PM Vladimir Putin, left, and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, right, shake hands during their meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, 05 Jan 2009

During his talk with Gazprom chief Miller, Mr. Putin expressed an interest in reliable delivery of gas to all customers, including Georgia, and instructed Miller to inform the European Union about Russian efforts to resolve the dispute with Ukraine.

Russia plans to withhold⁷ the amount of gas it alleges⁸ Ukraine has stolen, more than 65 million cubic meters, and to continue doing so as long as siphoning continues. Ukraine is reporting the flow of gas from Russia has been sharply reduced.

The spokesman for Ukraine's Naftohas gas company, Valentyn Zemliansky, told VOA the company is concerned about Ukraine's image, which he says is being tarnished⁹ by false reports in the Russian media. He also denies Ukraine is stealing gas, saying his country has been forced to pump more gas to Europe than it is receiving from Russia.

Zemliansky says Ukraine has transported more than 82 million cubic meters, which means the country is using its own gas reserves to meet the technical demands of transporting Russian gas.

Russian officials say they will increase deliveries to Europe via alternate pipelines¹¹ through Belarus. But that route does not have the capacity of the Ukrainian pipeline¹⁰ system, which has transported 80 percent of Russia's supplies to Western Europe.

Miller and Zemliansky say neither Russian nor Ukrainian consumers have been affected¹² by the gas dispute, because Russia has unlimited¹³ supplies and Ukraine has adequate reserves. Ukrainian officials say those reserves should last at least through April.

Ukraine and Russia do not have a gas supply contract for 2009, and Kyiv disputes a Russian claim that they have a valid¹⁴ gas transport agreement for this year. Ukraine is also disputing a $615-million penalty Moscow says is for late payment on November and December gas deliveries.

Russia is demanding Ukraine pay $450 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas in 2009. This is nearly twice the amount of $250 Moscow offered on December 31, when both sides broke off contract talks. The chairman of Ukraine's gas company will fly to Moscow on Thursday to resume negotiations.

1 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

2 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

7 withhold   

v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡

参考例句：

• It was unscrupulous of their lawyer to withhold evidence.他们的律师隐瞒证据是不道德的。
• I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my indignation.我忍不住要发泄一点我的愤怒。

8 alleges   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The newspaper article alleges that the mayor is corrupt. 报纸上断言该市长腐败。
• Steven was tardy this morning and alleges that his bus was late. 史提芬今天早上迟到的说词是公车误点了。

9 tarnished   

（通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏

参考例句：

• The mirrors had tarnished with age. 这些镜子因年深日久而照影不清楚。
• His bad behaviour has tarnished the good name of the school. 他行为不轨，败坏了学校的声誉。

10 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

11 pipelines   

管道( pipeline的名词复数 )； 输油管道； 在考虑（或规划、准备） 中； 在酿中

参考例句：

• The oil is carried to the oil refinery by pipelines. 石油通过输油管输送到炼油厂。
• The oil carried in pipelines. 石油用管道输送。

12 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

13 unlimited   

adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的

参考例句：

• They flew over the unlimited reaches of the Arctic.他们飞过了茫茫无边的北极上空。
• There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris.在技术方面自以为是会很危险。

14 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？