Šefčovič Meets Gazprom’s Miller, Russian Minister Novak

European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met Gazprom’s Alexey Miller in Moscow on Wednesday. The two delegations spoke about reliable gas supply to European consumers. 

Gazprom’s officials noted that Ukraine’s Naftogaz partially settled its debt to Gazprom. They added that the country is making use of the gas stored in its UGS facilities. According to the Russian company, this could pose a threat for European countries. 

‘Naftogaz of Ukraine purchases less gas than provided for by the Brussels Agreements and withdraws it from its underground storages, which leads to a drastic reduction of gas reserves in the UGS facilities, that are insufficient for securely passing the winter period. Bearing in mind that the winter peak periods of gas consumption fall on late January and February, transit risks for European consumers remain in Ukraine’ reads a note released on Wednesday. 

Gazprom referred to the trilateral protocol signed by Russia, Ukraine and the EU on October 30. The agreement refers to the 5-month period ending on April 1. 

According to some reports, Šefčovič also met Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak. Russian papers reported that the two politicians did not speak about an agreement for the summer, as the contract has already been discussed.  

Meanwhile, diplomatic activities continue. On Wednesday, the State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia, David Bakradze, visited NATO Headquarters, while Belarusian authorities met with a Romania representation in Minsk. 

‘During the meeting the parties discussed the issues of the development of bilateral political and economic relations, cooperation between Belarus and Romania in other areas as well as development of the legal framework of bilateral relations’ reads the press release.