Gazprom sees Ukraine gas 'risk' next year: Miller

Ukraine is ensuring smooth transit of Russian gas supplies to Europe but there is a risk of disruption next year due to uncertainty on payments, the head of Russian gas giant Gazprom said Saturday.

Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller, speaking in a meeting with foreign research and media specialists on Russia, hailed the “remarkable” current cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian state gas firms.

But he cautioned that “there is a political risk” and a measure of uncertainty about next year that could negatively impact that relationship as it has in the past.

A dispute on gas pricing between the Russian and Ukrainian gas companies at the start of this year led to a shut-off of Russian supply to Ukraine which in turn triggered shortages to European clients further downstream.

AFP