Ukraine faces loss of gas discount if Russia, EU talks fizzle

Gas pipes are pictured at Oparivske gas underground storage in Lviv region September 30, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

BRUSSELS/LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - With less than four weeks until its deal for Russian natural gas imports ends, Ukraine risks losing its current discount unless it can agree a new pact, something that took six months and help from the European Commission to achieve last time.

Gas has become a double-edged sword in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia after Moscow's seizure of Crimea a year ago.