(VOVWORLD) - Russia can start supplying natural gas to Europe via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as soon as it gets the green light from Germany, President Putin said on Thursday. He blamed the gas crisis and record high prices on the EU's energy policy.
 Russia's Antipinsky Oil Refinery (Photo: TASS) |
If the German regulator gives its clearance tomorrow, supplies of 17.5 billion cubic metres of gas will start the day after tomorrow, Putin told a televised forum. He said Russia is on track to complete filling the second line of the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline, which runs on the bed of the Baltic Sea to Germany, before the end of December.
Gas supplied by Gazprom to Europe under long-term contracts will cost the EU countries four times less than gas purchased on the spot market, Putin said, adding that Gazprom does not make excessive profits.