Germany is concerned about the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine

The German government is concerned about the gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia. It is in the interests of the EU that these countries are “reliable partners” in terms of gas supplies, ”German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday.

A spokesman for the German government stressed the need to ensure a stable supply of these raw materials. He said that the German government is concerned about the decision of the Russian Gazprom, which has decided to terminate contracts with the Ukrainian Naftogaz.

“The fact that Gazprom wants to terminate its contracts ahead of schedule has caused irritation not only here in Germany, but also in other countries of the European Union and the European Commission,” Seibert said at a press conference.

Gazprom refused to supply gas to Ukraine the day before. In March, the Ukrainian side paid an advance for gas supplies, but Gazprom returned it, saying that a further agreement had not been agreed upon, which was necessary after the termination of the supply of raw materials. Ukraine has not bought gas from Russia for a long time.

In connection with the conflict with Gazprom, Ukraine has cut gas consumption by 14 percent. On Friday, the Polish company announced that it had signed a contract with Naftogaz for urgent supplies of blue fuel.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Saturday that an increase in gas supplies from the EU, including from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, helped stabilize the situation and regulate gas shortages, although educational institutions are not working. The schoolchildren were sent on an unscheduled spring break after an unusually long quarantine. As a result, the third quarter lasted 1 month, and from March 12 to the end of May the fourth fourth will begin. Poroshenko also assured that transit to recipients in the EU countries is ensured. This transit is an important source of income for Ukraine - in 2017 it brought in about US $ 3 billion.