The European Commission is working closely with the members of the European Union that are most dependent on Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine to fully find alternative ways, said the spokesperson of the European Commission, Tim McPhie.
“I’m not going to talk about specific alternative routes. That’s something the members are discussing. There are multiple ways to get to alternative gas pipelines, regardless of whether it’s gas coming to Europe through a pipe or liquefied gas. The European Commission is closely cooperating with members to ensure they are sufficiently prepared to meet their gas demand,” McPhie emphasized.
According to him, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Italy are among the countries most dependent on gas delivery via Ukraine.
European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said at the beginning of the month that the EU does not see the need to extend the agreement on the transfer of Russian gas through Ukraine, which expires this year. European countries receive about 15 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine.
The Russian government plans to introduce a six-month ban on gasoline exports starting from March 1st, said the representative of the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak.
Previously, the Russian outlet RBC reported, citing sources, that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved a temporary ban on gasoline exports starting from March 1st and an increase in diesel fuel sales on the exchange by 16 percent.
Furthermore, it was stated that this time the ban will not apply to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union – Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and two secessionist regions of Georgia supported by Russia – South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
