Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the state-run TASS news agency on Sunday that Moscow is prepared to restore gas shipments to Europe via the Yamal-Europe Pipeline.
“The European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies,” Novak said, according to TASS, in comments published on Sunday.
“For example, the Yamal-Europe Pipeline, which was stopped for political reasons, remains unused.”
The Yamal-Europe Pipeline ordinarily flows westward, but it has been mostly reversed since December 2021, after Poland opted to draw on stored gas in Germany rather than buy from Russia.
Warsaw ended its contract with Russia in May after initially declining Moscow’s demand for payment in roubles.
Russian supplier Gazprom reacted by cutting off supply and stating that it would no longer be able to sell gas through Poland after Moscow imposed penalties on the company that owns the Polish part of the Yamal-Europe pipeline.
In addition, Novak reaffirmed that Moscow is exploring expanding gas shipments via Turkey following the establishment of a terminal in that country.
He added that by 2022, Moscow anticipates having sent 21 bcm of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.
