Russia (bbabo.net) - Naftogaz Ukrainy filed a complaint against Gazprom with the European Commission and accused the Russian company of "abuse of its dominant position" in the European gas market. According to representatives of the Ukrainian company, cited by the press service of Naftogaz, Gazprom restricts the ability of other companies to supply gas to Europe.

"Gazprom has sharply reduced sales of its own gas in the European spot market, despite growing demand, and is limiting the ability of other companies to supply additional volumes of gas to Europe and compete with Gazprom. This is the key reason for the crisis and record price increases in Europe," said the chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Yuriy Vitrenko.

In particular, Naftogaz accused Gazprom that "for no good reason" it stopped selling gas through its own electronic platform, and then refused to supply gas to Europe through the Ukrainian GTS. The Ukrainians also accused Gazprom of improperly filling gas storage facilities in the EU, which are owned by the Russian company itself.

Gazprom itself has not yet commented on the statements of Ukrainian colleagues.

Complaints from Eastern European states against Gazprom are not new lately. Recently, for example, Poland has addressed similar claims to the European Commission. However, the EC itself does not see any reason to accuse the Russian company of anything. In particular, the Deputy Head of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and the Executive Deputy Chairman of the EC Margrethe Vestager spoke about this. And the Hungarian prime minister blamed the European Commission itself for the energy crisis in Europe.

At the same time, Gazprom provided more than half of European gas imports in 2021. As for the transportation of gas through Ukraine, Gazprom fulfilled its obligations under the transit agreement with this country ahead of schedule, pumping through its territory towards Europe the entire volume of fuel specified in the contract.

At the same time, Gazprom did not book additional capacities for transit to Poland through Ukraine in January. The company explained that gas supplies are being carried out "according to consumers' requests in full compliance with the current contractual obligations." And the Polish PGNiG has confirmed this. Also in "Gazprom" reported that Ukraine has already used almost all the gas designed for the winter.

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