Gazprom threatens to cut gas transit to Europe through Ukraine
Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom its threatening to reduce gas transit in Europe (Photo:REUTERS/Anton Vaganov)
Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom its threatening to reduce gas transit in Europe under the pretext that part of the gas flow intended for Moldova allegedly "settles in Ukraine”, financial news outlet Bloomberg reported on Nov. 22.
Gazprom claims that Ukraine has now accumulated 52.52 million cubic meters of gas destined for Moldova.
Flows through Ukraine, which remains the last viable route for exports to Western European markets, may be cut in the following week, Bloomberg stated, noting that the threat coincides with the onset of the heating season, and increased gas demand in Europe.
Specifically, Gazprom is threatening to start reducing gas supplies through Ukraine starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 28. Currently, Gazprom sends about 43 million cubic meters of gas per day to Europe via Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has said that it plans to heighten transit fees for Russian gas due to Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
This comes after Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 were destroyed by explosions on Sept. 26.
Gazprom stopped the operation of Nord Stream 1 under false pretenses at the end of August, while Nord Stream 2 was never operational. According to German authorities, the damaged gas pipelines can never be used again.
The authorities of Sweden, Germany and Denmark are investigating the causes of the explosions. The Prime Minister of Sweden said that Russia would not be allowed to join the investigation.
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