Gazprom: gas flowing to Germany returns in reverse to Poland and Ukraine

The Russian oil company Gazprom found it unreasonable to resell gas by Germany to Poland in conditions of rapidly rising prices, the AFP agency reported on Sunday. Gazprom has also rejected accusations by the West against Moscow of unilaterally restricting gas supplies to Europe.

” reversal of gas flows from Germany to Poland and reportedly also to Ukraine, in the range of 3 million to 5 million cubic meters per day, “Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kuprianov said in a video published on the Internet.

“This gas comes from underground tanks in Germany, which have already been used in 47 percent. And winter is just beginning … This is not the most rational decision, “added Kuprianov and stressed that, in his opinion, the prices of these supplies are” much higher than the volumes supplied by Gazprom. “

AFP reminds that on Wednesday the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union accused Moscow to suspend supplies through the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline between Russia, Poland and No. in the mornings. Poland called on the EC to take immediate action using all available tools to stop Gazprom’s manipulations on the natural gas market.

According to data from the German network operator Gascade Russian gas supplies to Germany via the Yamal pipeline were halted on Tuesday, after which the gas began to be directed east.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin replied, that Gazprom does not export gas through this pipeline due to the lack of new European orders. However, some Western politicians and industry experts accused Russia of suspending gas supplies to Europe due to political tensions around Ukraine, as well as delays in the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

“The accusations against Russia and Gazprom that we supply little gas to the European market are absolutely unfounded,” Kuprianov referred to these allegations in his video.

“This year, Gazprom supplied Germany with 50.2 billion cubic meters of gas, 5.3 billion more than last year. Gazprom also supplied more gas than a year ago to countries such as Italy and Turkey , Bulgaria, Serbia, Denmark, Finland and Poland “- argued the spokesman of Gazprom.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian oil company Naftohaz also informed about the submission of a complaint to the EC according to which Gazprom is abusing its dominant position on the European gas market. The head of Nafohaz, Yuriy Vitrenko, also emphasized that Gazprom has reduced gas sales on the European market despite the growing demand for this raw material.

The complaint drew attention to, among others . that Gazprom has refused to adequately fill its gas storage facilities in the EU with gas, and that the Russian company is also continuing to block gas exports from Russia by private companies and is blocking transit from Central Asia to Europe.

According to Naftohaz, the purpose of such activities is, inter alia, creating an artificial gas deficit and pressure on the EU to bring the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline into operation as soon as possible (PAP)

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