Gazprom Says Ukraine Transit Route in Focus in Cold Snap

A cold snap which has increased demand across Europe in recent weeks has thrown Ukraine's transit route into focus, a press release from Russian Gazprom says.

The statement comes as talks and negotiations between Gazprom and Ukrainian national energy company Naftogaz Ukrainy continue, with CEO of Gazprom Alexey Miller meeting with Evgeny Bakulin, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy. 

The statement does not say detail exactly what the transit route focus relates to, saying only that "issues" had arisen during the cold snap.

"Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee held a working meeting on the issues of the Russian gas transit via Ukraine during abnormally cold snaps..." the statement said. "A focus was placed on ensuring the uninterrupted transit of Russian gas to European consumers via Ukraine."

Tensions heated between Gazprom and Naftogaz during the severely cold weather, with Gazprom accusing Ukraine of taking more than its fair share of gas supply to the country, leaving other European customers experiencing a shortfall in supply. However, Naftogaz Ukrainy has hotly contested the accusation, saying it has not taken more gas than it was contractually entitled to or had requested.