Novak says Russia is ready to supply gas to Europe via several routes

Russia is ready to continue supplying gas to Europe via several routes, not only by transit through Ukraine. This was announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on December 25.

"As of today, the issue <...> has not been resolved, although the Europeans and European countries are interested in this. But it depends primarily on the agreement of the European Union and Kiev on the possibility of such supplies," he said during an interview with theRossiya 24TV channel.

In addition, Novak noted that the situation with gas reserves in Europe remains tense despite supplies from Russia. He specified that its volumes in European storages are now 3-5% below the average level for the last five years. According to him, this situation will become even more difficult without gas supplies from Russia.

Into the next gas: How the West is trying to replace Russia in the Balkans

Although Moscow remains a reliable fuel supplier for the countries of the region

Earlier, on December 20, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo would soon meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin because of Ukraine 's refusal to transit gas through the country. The Serbian leader also said that Russia had met Serbia and Hungary on the issue of payment for gas supplies through Bulgaria.

For his part, Fitzo said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (whose term of office expired on May 20) had set a condition that he would agree to transit gas through the country if Russia did not pay for the fuel until the end of the conflict. The Slovak prime minister said that such a proposal seemed absurd to him, as no one would supply gas for free, and Ukraine thus completely excludes the possibility of transit.

Before that, on December 18, Fitzo urged Europe to find a way to continue gas transit through Ukraine, because Bratislava risks losing annual revenue of €500 million ($525 million) from transit fees, and Kiev - transit routes in general.

The Russian leadership has repeatedly pointed out that the country has not given up gas transit supplies to Europe, but European countries must negotiate with Kiev to extend them.