Moscow, December 24 - Neftegaz.RU. Russian President has rebuffed what he calls «lies» claiming that Moscow has contributed to the rapidly growing gas prices in Europe, RT analysed.
In fact, has insists the opposite is the case and his country has increased gas supplies to EU member states.
Putin was asked by Russia’s Channel One during his annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday whether there was any truth in allegations that state gas giant Gazprom may be responsible for the record-high gas prices on the continent.
The president strongly denied that this was the case.
Putin stressed:
Putin noted:
Putin was asked by Russia’s Channel One during his annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday whether there was any truth in allegations that state gas giant Gazprom may be responsible for the record-high gas prices on the continent.
The president strongly denied that this was the case.
Putin stressed:
- Of course, it’s not [true], they are lying all the time
- Gazprom is delivering the volume [of gas] requested by its partners in full, in accordance with existing contracts
- We’re not the only suppliers to the European market
- But we’re probably the only ones who are increasing deliveries
- [Gazprom] didn’t reserve traffic, because its partners, mostly French and German companies that buy gas via this route, have not applied for purchases
Putin noted:
- This prompted the prices to climb, there were adverse weather conditions last year
- A long cold spring, not enough gas was pumped into storages, wind turbines didn’t work
- All this has created a deficit