ASSOCIATED PRESS
Britain is set to start buying gas directly from Russia this year despite EU politicians threatening to bring in further sanctions against Moscow amid tensions over the crisis in Ukraine.
Centrica, the UK's largest energy firm that owns British Gas, will start importing Russian gas directly from this October in a deal signed back in 2012, Reuters reported.
Centrica's plan is still on track, despite diplomatic tensions over Ukraine pushing EU politicians to consider energy sources that make them less reliant on Russia.
David Cameron recently warned that sanctions could hit Russian oligarchs like Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich and tensions have seen Russian spending at UK shops plummet.
UK domestic gas production is falling by around 7% annually. The UK has so far not imported gas directly from Russia, as Russian supplies come to Britain through Germany and other European pipelines.
Russian and Ukraine Standoff
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(01 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(02 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(03 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(04 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(05 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command fire weapons into the air and scream orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(06 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command scream orders to turn back after firing their wepaons into the air at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(07 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(08 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(09 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C-R), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, and a colleague bearing the regiment flag, confront troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(10 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, and a colleague bearing the regiment flag, confront troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(11 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command stand firmly after firing their weapons into the air and screaming orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(12 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command warns anyone approaching further that he will shoot them in the legs after he and colleagues fired their weapons into the air and screamed orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(13 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command jump down from a truck with orders to shoot to kill anyone who advances further after over 100 unarmed Ukrainian troops confronted them at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(14 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (R), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, speaks to troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(15 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(16 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(17 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command restrains a colleague after he fired his weapon into the air and screamed orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(18 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(19 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(20 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops stand at a road on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(21 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-UNREST-CRIMEA(22 of51)
Russian (R) and Crimean flags flutter on top of the Crimean government building near a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Simferopol on March 4, 2014. Fears of an assault by Russian forces on Ukrainian military bases surrounded in Crimea did not materialise overnight, a Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman said Tuesday. 'The night was quiet,' Vladyslav Seleznyov, the defence ministry spokesman for Crimea, told AFP in the regional capital Simferopol. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-RUSSIA-POLITICS-UNREST-CRIMEA(23 of51)
A man holds a red flag as Russian (R) and Crimean flags flutter on top of the Crimean government building near a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Simferopol on March 4, 2014. Fears of an assault by Russian forces on Ukrainian military bases surrounded in Crimea did not materialise overnight, a Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman said Tuesday. 'The night was quiet,' Vladyslav Seleznyov, the defence ministry spokesman for Crimea, told AFP in the regional capital Simferopol. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(24 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(25 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(26 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbasespeaks with troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase after Mamchor led over 100 of his unarmed, Ukrainian soldiers to confront the occupiers at the airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(27 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, walks past armed soldiers as he returns after speaking with troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase after Mamchor led over 100 of his unarmed, Ukrainian soldiers to confront the occupiers at the airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(28 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops listen to their commander speak before they marched to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the nearby Belbek airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(29 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor, commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, salutes before leading over 100 of his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(30 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(31 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor, commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, salutes before leading over 100 of his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(32 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier (L) under Russian command watches as a group of ten Ukrainian troops pass to take positions in the airfield control after over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops marched up the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(33 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command runs carrying a heavy machine gun to take up a position after a group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops appeared at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(34 of51)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command aims a rocket propelled grenade launcher at a group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops who appeared at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(35 of51)
Standoff at Belbek (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(36 of51)
More #Russia army on road today. BTRs, jeeps, trucks. #Crimea #Ukraine (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(37 of51)
Belbek airbase. Half the base surrendered to the Russians. The other is still holding out. (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(38 of51)
Marching to the runway #Belbek #Crimea #Ukraine (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(39 of51)
Wives of the officers are camping out by the gates of Belbek airbase and serving as human shields #Crimea #Ukraine (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(40 of51)
(credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(41 of51)
Stirring scenes at morning parade in Belbek airbase. Raising of #Ukraine flag. (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
(42 of51)
Family and friends of Ukrainian soldiers at the Belbek military base, anticipating a possible Russian attack, block the entrance to the main gate after someone claimed to have spotted a Russian army truck passing nearby on March 3, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. Tensions at the base, where between 100 and 200 Ukrainian soldiers are stationed, are high as a 4pm deadline reportedly given by Russian troops for the Ukrainians to surrender passed and locals feared the Russians might attack tonight. Many of the soldiers have family that live in apartment blocks just outside the base and about two dozen family members braved the cold ready to block the road to the base entrance should the Russians appear. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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Colonel Yuli Mamchuk, Balbek base commander reviewing his men at morning parade #Crimea #Ukraine (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Men of #Ukraine Air Force, Belbek base about to march back to their aircraft which were captured yesterday by #Russia (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Colonel Mamchuk talks with Russian officers, demanding to be allowed access to the planes (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Standoff not over yet @ #Belbek #Russia & #Ukraine facing each other, not moving Dozens of guns trained on Ukrainians (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Talks with Russians failed. Ukrainian soldiers at Belbek prepare to march to their aircraft under threat of gunfire (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Wives of Ukrainian officers prepare to join the men marching on Belbek airbase (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Standoff at Belbek continues. Russian commander said would respond to Ukrainian demand by Noon. #Ukraine #Crimea (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Ukrainian soldiers in Belbek staying put but allowed to break ranks and smoke #Crimea #Ukraine (credit:@AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom)
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Ukrainian soldiers & wives discussing meaning of #Russia statement - units return to base. Does it mean also #Crimea?
In 2012, Britain produced nearly half of the 91 billion cubic meters of gas it used domestically, with 29% coming from Norway, around 7% from the Netherlands, 3% from Belgium and nearly 15% from Qatar.
Tory politicians have been bullish about how the UK could cope if further sanctions are brought against Moscow. Conservative MP Brooks Newmark, a member of parliament’s influential Treasury Select Committee, told HuffPostUK: "We can economically hurt Putin and his cronies as well, we can put a huge amount of economic pressure on them. They have enormous business interests in the UK and bank accounts here, too."
"Russia recognises that they are no longer one of the great global powers anymore so the only way they can reassert themselves domestically is by going into countries like Georgia and Ukraine."
Russia's state-run energy giant Gazprom sells between 11 billion and 12 billion cubic metres of gas to the UK, which fulfills around 15% of the country's total need, as well as providing around a third of Europe's demand for gas.