Russia assures Europe on stable gas supplies

ROME (Reuters) – Russia’s energy minister on Monday assured Europe that it would receive stable gas supplies from his nation despite problems with transit country Ukraine and falling output in Russia.

Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe’s gas, much of it via Ukraine, has twice cut supplies in recent years due to pricing disputes between Moscow and Kiev.

“There are all the necessary reasons to see stable supplies to Europe,” Sergei Shmatko told a news conference. “The problems of January 2009 will not be repeated.”

Shmatko’s comments came after Russia on Friday rejected a Ukrainian proposal to defer payment on up to $5 billion in gas storage payments.

Reuters