Summary
Russia has accused the European Union of discriminating against gas and electricity providers from outside the bloc in violation of international rules, the World Trade Organization said Thursday.
Russia accounts for about a quarter of all EU gas supplies and is the dominant or sole supplier to some members of the 28-nation bloc, notably ex-communist countries.
The move comes amid heightened tensions over the Ukraine crisis, with Gazprom warning this week that new sanctions from the EU and others against Russia could leave Europe without crucial gas supplies.
Wednesday's request marks the second complaint 2012 WTO entrant Russia has filed against the EU since December, when it claimed the bloc was putting Russian steel and fertiliser companies at a disadvantage through unfair anti-dumping tariffs.
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