TODAY: Ukraine gas cuts affecting the supply of seven EU countries; Russia calling for Gaza ceasefire; navy to station warships all over the world; opposition newspaper offices hit by fire; US-Russia adoption slammed by United Russia.

The Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Germany are among the six European countries whose gas supply was initially affected by Russia’s cuts to Ukraine, but Croatia has now also reported pressure drops in its pipelines, bringing the total to seven.  The dispute, over unpaid bills and future pricing, may not be resolved until after the Orthodox Christmas holiday when Gazprom can check its books, suggests this report.  Gazprom is now offering Ukraine a new gas price of $418 per cubic meter, an almost 60% hike on its original offer.  Both sides have asked for European support, and EU ambassadors are set to meet in Brussels today to discuss the situation, although the EU reportedly does not intend to take the side of either party.  Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin told Andrew Lloyd Webber that he hopes Ukraine will vote for Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest. ‘Perhaps he will refuse to turn the gas taps back on until they do so‘?