Moscow and Kiev reach gas deal; Europe still waits

Russia and Ukraine announced a deal yesterday to end the bitter dispute that has blocked Russian natural gas from Europe for nearly two weeks and deeply shaken Europeans' trust in the two as reliable energy suppliers.

The early morning agreement between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko came after a day of intense negotiations.

Still, relief for millions of frustrated consumers and businesses could be days away. The deal on 2009 gas prices is not likely to be finalized until at least today. If Russia turns on the taps immediately after the signing, it could take another day for the gas to travel hundreds of miles across Ukrainian pipelines to eastern Europe.