Medvedev: Capacities of gas supplies to Europe down due to sanctions, but Russia ready to supply gas in contracted volumes

MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Supplies of Russian gas to Europe have decreased due to the wave of anti-Russian measures which in itself limited the possibility of such supplies, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the French news channel LCI's Darius Rochebin.

The situation surrounding supplies of Russian gas to the West is "effectively a part of the war waged against our country now," he said.

"We have never refused to supply gas to Europe. We built Nord Stream 2, we fulfilled all obligations, but they told us that they don't need our gas anymore, and, moreover, they're not going to pay us in euros and dollars, because they have now severed correspondence relations with our banks. We decided then that the only possibility for us is using rubles as payment means. This is a consequence of the sanctions war unleashed by the West," Medvedev said.

"Yes and we're ready to supply gas in the amounts which were contracted even now. But undoubtedly it will depend on the stance of Western countries, on the stance of European countries. If they twist our arms, if they ban payments or refuse to deliver the repaired turbine engines or launch Nord Stream 2, then, perhaps, there will be no such kind of supplies in the amounts expected by Western countries," he said.

Russia has always been interested in stable supplies of its consumers, he said. "You see, we did not want to halt anything. We supplied gas to Europe for decades. Europe was pleased, and we were pleased. It means that relations should be pragmatic," Medvedev said.

"But Europe is now following the footsteps of the policy of the United States. Remember how Mr. [ex-President of the U.S. Donald] Trump was always surprised that there are gas pipelines to Europe and offered supplies of U.S. gas to European countries, liquefied natural gas. It's very expensive and almost impossible. But Europe has brought it to such state now where it's seriously considering this option. Piped gas is way cheaper, but liquefied natural gas is extremely expensive. It came to the point when Chancellor [of Germany Olaf] Scholz went to Canada to negotiate supplies of liquefied natural gas explaining his wish that it is better to buy gas in a democratic, closer country than from Russia. Well, let him buy it," Medvedev said.