Russia is ready to restart gas supplies to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline

Alexander Novak, the deputy prime minister of Russia, told the state-run TASS news agency that Moscow is prepared to restart gas supplies to Europe via the Yamal-Europe Pipeline.

"The European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies," said Novak to TASS.

"For example, the Yamal-Europe Pipeline, which was stopped for political reasons, remains unused."

Although the Yamal-Europe Pipeline typically flows west, it has been mainly flowing east since December 2021 as Poland chose to use Germany's gas reserves rather than purchasing from Russia.

Warsaw ended its arrangement with Russia in May after initially refusing Moscow's demand that it make its payments in roubles.

After Moscow imposed sanctions on the company that owns the Polish portion of the Yamal-Europe pipeline, Russian supplier Gazprom (GAZP.MM) responded by cutting off supply and declaring that it would no be able to export gas via Poland.

Novak reaffirmed Moscow's discussions for further gas shipments via Turkey following the establishment of a hub there.

Moscow anticipates shipping 21 billion cubic meters (bcm) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe in 2022, he added.

"This year we were able to significantly increase LNG supplies to Europe," according to Novak. "In the 11 months of 2022 they increased to 19.4 bcm, by the end of the year 21 bcm are expected."

Novak also revealed that Russia and Azerbaijan have agreed to raise gas supply for each other's domestic consumption in a lengthy interview with the TASS agency, portions of which have been made public over the weekend.

"In the future, when they increase gas production, we will be able to discuss swaps," he said.

According to him, Moscow is also talking about increasing gas supplies to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

In the long run, according to Novak, Russia may supply its natural gas to the markets of Afghanistan and Pakistan by either using the Central Asian infrastructure or by exchanging gas with Iran.

By fLEXI tEAM