Gazprom uses gas to tighten noose on Ukraine

``Gazprom said it had raised the price of gas for Ukraine from $268 to $385 per 1,000 cubic metres, a tariff that may soon jump to $480 as the Kremlin ends the lease discount for Russia's Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol, rendered null and void by the annexation of Crimea. This will push Ukraine's energy costs to crippling levels, far above average EU costs. Gazprom claims that Ukraine owes $16bn for unpaid gas bills, equal to 11pc of GDP.''