30.03.2026 21:03
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he could completely withdraw from the European gas market and instructed the government to take the necessary steps to halt gas shipments entirely. Following this, a striking statement came from the Russian energy company Gazprom. Gazprom's Chairman Alexey Miller reported that the filling levels of natural gas storage facilities in European Union countries have dropped to a critical level.
In a written statement from the Russian energy company Gazprom, it was noted that the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities in Europe continues.
“THE FILLING RATE OF NATURAL GAS STORAGE IN EU COUNTRIES IS AT CRITICAL LEVELS” The statement indicated that Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Czechia, and Sweden continue to consume gas from storage, and it was stated that “The storage facilities of Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which are among the largest gas consumers in the EU, are on average only 17.4% full.”
“THEY MAY NOT EVEN REACH 70%” In the statement, Gazprom's President Aleksey Miller, whose views were included, pointed out that cold weather continues in some regions of Europe, stating, “The gas levels in EU storage facilities can be described as critically low for modern Europe. It can be predicted that the stocks in European gas storage may not even reach 70% at the beginning of the next withdrawal season.”
Miller emphasized that global warming can be expected, stating, “However, you cannot convince the thermometer.”
Aleksey Miller PUTIN HAD GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS, VALVES HAD BEEN CLOSED Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow could completely withdraw from the European gas market and instructed the government to take the necessary actions to completely halt gas shipments to the European Union (EU). The EU Council had approved a decision to completely stop the import of natural gas and LNG from Russia via pipelines next year.
After Putin's instruction, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak stated, "We have decided to redirect some of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied to Europe to other markets where we can establish constructive relations and sign long-term contracts."
Aleksandr Novak Novak pointed out that Russian companies have started negotiations with the relevant countries, stating, "Our companies are evaluating opportunities with other countries such as India, Thailand, the Philippines, and China to sign new long-term contracts without waiting for new restrictions from Europe."