A worker at the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline compressor stationMOSCOW, Jan 15A number of energy companies have told the U.S. State Department that there is little alternative to gas supplies from Russia in the event of a disruption, Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials and two industry sources. U.S. officials have held talks with some international energy companies on action plans in emergency situations regarding natural gas supplies to Europe in the event that «a conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts the supplies.»»Gazprom» through the court demanded from Poland to revise gas pricesAccording to sources of the agency, American diplomats asked the companies where, if necessary, you can get gas. They responded that global gas supplies are limited and there is little fuel available to replace large volumes of imports from Russia.
"The United States has promised to support Europe in case of energy shortages due to conflict or sanctions" , — said one of the sources.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has more than once refuted reports of a «pulling» of troops to the border with Ukraine, which the West uses as a pretext for sanctions ultimatums to Moscow. The diplomatic department calls talk about a potential conflict between Russia and Ukraine another fiction. Vladimir Putin also emphasized that Moscow was not going to attack anyone. According to him, the Russian threat is «an invention of those who want to cash in on their role as the vanguard of the fight against Russia, to receive some kind of bonuses and preferences for this.» Kiev weapons and military instructors, and increased the number of exercises in the Black Sea. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, this could provoke the Ukrainian authorities into «military adventures,» which poses a direct threat to Russia's security. Moscow believes that the West is trying to create a grouping of troops near the Russian borders.The price of gas in Europe has fallen just below $1,000 per thousand cubic metersVladimir Putin has previously stressed that the further expansion of NATO to the East and the deployment of offensive weapons on Ukrainian territory and in neighboring countries are red lines for Moscow. The European gas market has been fluctuating since the end of summer. Back in early August, futures traded at $515 per thousand cubic meters, but by the end of September they had more than doubled, and on October 6 jumped to a historic high of $1,937. This was followed by some decline, but prices continue to stay at a high level. All this increases the cost of electricity for residents of the European Union. According to Vladimir Putin, the shortage of gas in the European market was the result of the economic policy of the European Commission. As Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak emphasized on Friday, January 14, neither Gazprom nor Russia as a whole are to blame in the energy crisis in Europe. He pointed out that the underground gas storages were empty due to the long winter. In addition, the economy began to recover, and liquefied natural gas from the United States and other countries, such as Qatar, «went to Asia.» admitted losses from the «capricious» struggle with Russian gas