Russia ready to continue gas transit to Europe via different routes
Russia has expressed its readiness to continue exporting gas to Europe via several routes, while the agreement on transporting fuel via Ukraine is expected to expire at the end of this year, according to statements by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Novak said, in an interview with the state-run Rossiya 24 TV channel on Wednesday, that the agreement on the future of gas transportation is in the hands of the authorities in Kiev and the European Union, and "for our part, we have always declared our readiness to continue supplying gas via routes other than existing pipelines" via Ukraine.
The approaching halt in supplies via Ukraine is accompanied by great concerns among countries, such as Slovakia, which rely heavily on Gazprom to meet their needs, despite Europe gradually abandoning Russian gas transported via pipelines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that his country refuses to transport Russian-origin gas unless it receives guarantees that Moscow will not benefit financially during the ongoing war.
This coincides with forecasts of cold weather in most parts of Europe, which is likely to increase demand for gas as stocks are consumed at a faster rate than usual. The tighter market supply also makes it harder for traders to secure enough gas for next year, amid competition from Asia for seaborne LNG supplies.
Different routes for Russian gas to Europe
Russia exports gas to Europe via different routes. Apart from Ukraine, the fuel is transported via a branch of the TurkStream pipeline that crosses the Black Sea. Both routes currently carry around 15 billion cubic meters a year. Other supplies are exported by ship, such as liquefied natural gas.
Novak noted that total gas exports to Europe exceeded 50 billion cubic meters in the first 11 months of this year.
President Vladimir Putin announced in September that Russia was also ready to resume gas supplies to Europe via the last remaining line of the disputed Nord Stream pipeline, via the Baltic Sea.
Novak concluded that despite political pressure, “Russian gas remains more attractive in terms of price and logistics” for buyers in the region.
