MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Supplies of Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukraine have been reduced because of lower consumer demand and will increase again next week, Russia's Gazprom Export company said Thursday.
Head of Ukraine's Naftogaz state energy company, Andriy Kobolev, said on Wednesday that Russia had reduced gas transit deliveries, and lowered pressure in pipelines on entry to Ukraine.
"The reduction of transit via Ukraine results from current weather conditions and decreased consumer demand," a Gazprom Export spokesman told RIA Novosti.
"Due to planned repair work on other pipelines, the deliveries of natural gas via Ukraine will increase next week," the official said.
