EUROPE GAS-Prices down on milder temperatures

LONDON, March 4 (Reuters) - Dutch and British wholesale gas prices fell on Tuesday morning as warmer weather forecasts for this week decreased heating demand but concerns over the Ukraine-Russia conflict persist.

The benchmark front-month contract at the Dutch TTF hub TRNLTTFMc1 was down 1.19 euros at 44.12 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), or $13.59/mmBtu, by 0925 GMT, according to LSEG data.

The Dutch May contract TRNLTTFMc2 was down 1.61 euros at 43.85 euros/MWh.

In the British market, the day-ahead contract TRGBNBPD1 was down 4.10 pence at 104.80 p/therm.

Temperatures are expected to rise, increasing by 4 degrees Celsius above seasonal normal levels until the weekend, before decreasing below normal again, LSEG data showed.

Total demand in north-west Europe is expected to drop by around 506 gigawatt hour per day (GWh/d) on the day-ahead, said LSEG analyst Oleh Skrynyk.

"Today, we expect prices to trade sideways amid warmer temperatures until the end of the week and potential storage relaxation. However, the colder weather forecast for early next week compared to the previous run introduces bullish risk and uncertainty to the market," Skrynyk said.

Tensions remain between the United States and Ukraine with President Trump tentatively touching on the topic during a press conference last night when talking about an unrelated investment deal. However, shortly after that conference he announced that U.S. aid to Ukraine would cease with immediate effect, consultancy Auxilione said in a note.

"These are concerning times and the markets will remain very sensitive to anything said by any one on this topic. Europe is now deeply reliant on the U.S. to be its key energy partner and will need to manage President Trump carefully in ensuring he remains onside with whatever route Europe takes in the steps to negotiate a peace deal concerning Ukraine," Auxilione analysts added.

In the European carbon market CFI2Zc1, the benchmark contract was down 1.85 euro at 69.7 euros a metric ton.