Gazprom: Many European countries still buy Russian gas

The CEO of Russia's largest gas company said many European countries that had declared they were completely breaking up with its fuel are still taking deliveries.

In an interview with state-run Rossiya-1 television last weekend, the head of Russia's largest gas company did not provide details on how much gas European countries were receiving. He said only that the fuel was supplied through a common pipeline, "but I know that Russian gas is going to many countries that have declared their refusal to consume it."

Miller did not specify which European Union (EU) countries receive Russian gas. However, he said Russia is shipping natural gas through Ukraine to Baumgarten, Austria. "This is a very large distribution center in Europe, supplying gas to countries in the region," Miller said.

He said that under current contracts, Russia is still supplying gas to countries in southern and southeastern Europe. "Of course, Russian gas is still flowing to Europe. And it is not a small amount. It is still consumed by countries that have declared themselves free of Russian gas," Miller said.

CEO of gas giant Gazprom Aleksey Miller. Photo: AFP — CEO of gas giant Gazprom Aleksey Miller. Photo: *AFP*

In 2022, Russian gas supplies to the European market will begin to decline, due to problems with the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and the refusal of many European countries to buy gas in rubles, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Bulgaria and Finland. In response to EU sanctions last year, Russia demanded that countries that supported the sanctions pay for gas in rubles instead of dollars or euros.

While reducing its purchases of natural gas from Russia, the EU has had to increase its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG). By the end of 2022, the EU will be the world's largest LNG buyer, surpassing traditional leaders China, Japan and South Korea.

Last year, the US also became a major supplier of LNG to the EU. Even Russian LNG exports to the EU increased by 20%.

Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was no longer dependent on Russian oil and gas. Russian gas exports to the region have also fallen by 80%.

Ha Thu (according to RT)

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