Europe’s refusal from long-term gas supply contracts is the reason for high prices for this fuel, the agency said. “RIA News” Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.
The Kremlin spokesman pointed to the words of Russian leader Vladimir Putin that “all our interactions in the field of energy supplies should be as transparent as possible, exclusively market-based and based on long-term contracts.” “This is what the Europeans have moved away from, and now they are buying gas – I’m speaking roughly – not at 300, but at 1,300. Actual? More than that,” he concluded.
Polish PGNiG filed a counterclaim against Gazprom over gas prices
On February 6, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, wrote in his blog that gas prices in Europe have risen 6-10 times over the year. He attributed this to inflation and called for “work on a greater diversification of import routes and sources,” since about 40% of gas supplies to Europe come from Russia, against which new sanctions may be imposed.
Earlier, Borrell noted that Moscow was not to blame for the rise in energy prices. He cited increased demand for fuel and reduced production of renewable energy as reasons. But, according to Borrell, in such a situation, Russia could “do its bit to balance the market by increasing the volume of gas sold,” but did not take such a step.
Not all politicians in Europe believe that Russia is not involved in rising gas prices. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, pointed out that the Kremlin is using gas supplies as a means of political pressure, and this is expressed in Gazprom’s disinterest in gas supplies to Europe amid rising prices and strong demand.