Russia covers more than 40% of Greece’s natural gas needs, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian President. According to him, the Russian side does not plan to reduce gas prices for Greece.
Mr. Peskov gave an interview to the Greek TV channel ANT1. Asked if Moscow can help Athens due to rising gas prices, a Kremlin spokesman said: “Would you like us to supply natural gas for free?” When asked if Russia could provide a discount on gas supplies, Dmitry Peskov answered negatively.
“No, because this is a matter of bilateral agreements. This is a matter of bilateral agreements with Gazprom. You simply sign a contract with Gazprom, which is valid for a specific period, and if it is a long-term agreement, you will continue to receive natural gas at the predicted price, ”explained the press secretary of the Russian President (quoted by RIA Novosti).
In June 2020, Gazprom Export (a subsidiary of Gazprom) and the Greek company Mytilineos SA signed a contract for the supply of natural gas to Greece until 2030. Gazprom reported that in 11 months of 2021 it exported more than 3 billion cubic meters to Greece. meters of gas, which became a record. The Russian company estimated the average export price in 2021 at $ 270 per thousand cubic meters. m, but later revised the forecast to $ 550. Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said that his country wants gas supplies at lower prices during periods when gas consumption rises against the background of rising gas prices.
Mr. Peskov’s interview was broadcast on the night of December 11, but was recorded on December 7 – before the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mr Putin received the Greek Prime Minister in Sochi on December 8. The Russian President called the negotiations successful. He said, in particular, that in 2021 gas exports to Greece increased by more than 12%, to 3 billion cubic meters. m, and promised to continue uninterrupted energy supplies.
The details of the meeting are in the material of Kommersant, “There is no war in war.”
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