Russia: Gazprom Says Ukraine May Be Responsible For Gas Cuts To Europe

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Gazprom Says Ukraine May Be Responsible For Gas Cuts To Europe

A senior official at Russian fuel gian Gazprom says excess consumption of natural gas in Ukraine may be responsible for reduced fuel deliveries to European Union nations.

Aleksandr Medvedev, general director of Gazprom Export, was quoted as saying that, given the severe winter conditions in Russia and in Europe, the company has raised exports of gas "to the maximum."

In comments carried by the Interfax news agency he said that Ukraine, which controls transit pipes carrying gas to Europe, "right now is consuming gas at volumes... well above levels allowed by contract."

More than 80 percent of Russian gas deliveries to the European Union travel through Ukraine's pipeline network.

The Ukrainian gas company Naftohaz denied it was tapping into gas destined for Europe.

In the past, pricing disputes between Russia and Ukraine have threatened gas supplies to several European countries.