Finland expects gas deliveries from Russia to cease on May 20-21

MOSCOW. May 18 (Interfax) - Russian gas supplies to Finland could cease late on Friday, May 20 or the next day, national gas distributor Gasum has warned.

At the same time, the company notes that it has not received any information on this matter from either Gazprom Export or the gas transportation company.

Gasum has reportedly been preparing for such a turn of event together with its customers and the authorities responsible for emergency supplies. Finland is hoping for gas supplies from Estonia via the Balticconnector pipeline in the summer of 2022, but capacity constraints in the pipeline could complicate this.

Gasum did not previously accept Russia's demand to switch to a new gas payment system and intends to file a lawsuit in arbitration.

Russia has been supplying natural gas to Finland for more than 45 years. In December 2015, Gazprom Export and Gasum extended the contract through December 31, 2031.