Kremlin accuses Yushchenko of Europe gas blackmail

MOSCOW, Nov 19 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Thursday accused Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko of blackmailing Europe on gas in response to a letter in which Yushchenko called on Russia to change the terms of gas contracts.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Sergei Prikhodko said Russia was open for dialogue on gas issues but saw no need to change the terms of gas deals signed in January.

"We are categorically against making Europe's energy security dependent on the ambitions of Ukrainian politicians. And (we believe) that attempts to scare Russia and Europe by predicting a gas transit crisis is something from the sphere of political blackmail," Prikhodko said.