Ukraine warned Europe on Wednesday that Russia could cut off gas to the continent this winter, but Moscow responded that the supply of gas would continue regardless of politics, Reuters reports.
European natural gas prices are reversing their biggest slump in five years as concern mounts that tension between Russia and Ukraine will again disrupt flows to the region.
Iran has expressed willingness to supply gas to Europe via the Nabucco gas pipeline.
Ali Majedi, Deputy Oil Minister in charge of International Affairs, announced that two European countries had already expressed interest in the project.
Ukraine may legally require that natural gas importers purchase a certain amount from Europe, Naftogaz Ukrainy chief Andriy Kobolev said.
Day-ahead natural gas prices in the U.K. and continental Europe continued to fall in June after reaching multi-year lows in May, according to data just released by Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemicals and metals information provider.
European consumers serviced by Gazprom are getting natural gas at levels they'd normally get during the winter, the company's chief executive said Friday.
The growing tension between the West and Russia over the annexation of Crimea accentuated all problems that have plagued gas ties between longtime partners.
Ukraine in May 2014 imported around 167 million cubic meters of gas from Europe via Poland and Hungary, according to data from a study of gas transport system operators in Hungary and Poland - FGSZ Ltd, and Gaz-System S.A, Interfax reported on June 2.
Ukraine’s tough stance on repayment of its gas debt to Russia may complicate prospects for financial aid from Europe, a diplomat from a Western European country told ITAR-TASS on June 2 ahead of trilateral gas talks between Russia, the EU and Ukraine in Brussels.