Gas compressor station in GermanyBRUSSELS Feb 9An increase in gas supplies to European countries is possible if there is demand, but due to high prices it is not observed, said Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's permanent representative to the European Union, in an interview with RIA Novosti. Last year, the European Commission noted that prices for blue fuel are cyclical, set by the global market and one of the reasons for this jump is the recovery of the global economy. In October, the EC also said that Gazprom, the main supplier of gas to the European Union, although fulfilling long-term contracts with buyers, did not respond to higher demand, as it did in previous years. The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, noted in early February that energy prices rose due to problems with supply and demand at the global level.January 26, 17:26InfographicHow much gas is left in European storagesInfographicView»In order to sell gas, someone needs to declare their readiness to buy it in advance. After all, supplies through the gas pipeline cannot be pumped back. And potential buyers in Europe calculate costs at spot prices and Naturally, they think that it is better to wait out the current peak. Sooner or later, prices will go down, no one doubts that,» Chizhov explained. There is gas in storage in Europe, and this winter is quite mild, he recalled. more severe and reserves would be depleted faster, then, of course, even at high prices, European companies would buy additional gas. But so far <…> there are no orders, and if there are none, then there are no deliveries,» the diplomat said. 
The Italian Foreign Minister called Russia indispensable for gas supplies to EuropeA noticeable rise in gas prices in Europe began last spring, when the average spot price according to the TTF index fluctuated in the 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. As President Vladimir Putin pointed out, Russia has nothing to do with the current price situation — the Europeans themselves created 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 deals because it will require large investments, he noted. february, 15:17InfographicsRussian gas in Europe: leading countries in terms of purchasesInfographicView
