A worker at a gas storage facility in Gronau, GermanyBRUSSELS Feb 16 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU had prepared for possible interruptions in gas supplies from Russia. «Over the past weeks, we have worked out all the scenarios for a possible complete or partial cessation of gas supplies to the EU from Russia. Now I can say that we have secured ourselves for this winter season,» she told the MEPs in Strasbourg.Putin called on the Germans to thank ex-Chancellor Schroeder for cheap gas. She claims that this is necessary in case «Russia decides to use energy as a weapon.» We observed that in times of high demand for gas, Gazprom limited supplies to Europe … This strange behavior for a company that, in an environment of increased demand, does not seek to increase its profits. Such behavior has already damaged Russia's credibility as a reliable supplier of energy resources,» von der Leyen said. ready to increase supplies of reduced gas to the EU.» According to the head of the EC, in January, «record deliveries of liquefied natural gas to Europe were already observed, which was the result of such contacts.»Borrell: in the event of an escalation, Nord Stream 2 may be temporarily closed»We will be safe,» von der Leyen promised the MEPs. range of 250-300 dollars per thousand cubic meters. In the last days of summer, the value of a contract with a «day ahead» delivery exceeded $600, and in early October it crossed the threshold of $1,000. In December, quotes have already doubled, reaching a historic high of $2,190.4. There have never been such persistently high prices in Europe since 1996 in the history of gas hubs. The European Union is almost completely dependent on external gas purchases. At the same time, Russia is its largest supplier, its share in imports is about 40%. The cost of gas in the EU is high due to strong demand, but the geopolitical situation «does not help» them to stabilize, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said in turn in early February. The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, wrote in his blog in February that the Russian Federation strictly fulfills its contractual obligations for gas supplies to the EU. However, Gazprom, he said, «refused» additional deliveries to replenish European storage facilities, which increased the nervous situation in the market. As Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out, Russia has nothing to do with the current price situation — the Europeans created their own problems in this area. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak explained that the European Commission pursued a deliberate policy of moving away from long-term contracts to spot contracts, but such deliveries go where prices are higher and do not even provide medium-term predictability. Russia is ready to increase gas production and supplies to Europe, but Gazprom needs long-term contracts because it will require large investments, Novak noted. : The US got rich on gas supplies due to the crisis in Ukraine
