Russian giant Gazprom has reduced its gas deliveries to the European Union due to higher demand in Russia during this period of extreme cold, but EU member states should be able to last a month on their capacities, announced the European Commission, on 3 February. Eight European countries are concerned: Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Italy, explained a spokeswoman. “But all these countries say their situation is not urgent,” she added. The decreases in deliveries are significant in Italy and Austria, however, at 24% and 30% respectively. Italy imports 30% of its gas from Russia.

Russia explained that it needs “more gas because of the cold wave” and that “the contract between Gazprom and European companies allows a degree of flexibility” for such situations. The European Commission made no connection between this reduction in deliveries to the EU and the dispute between Gazprom and Ukraine over gas prices. But “Russia has not provided all the information,” admitted the spokeswoman.

The Commission has alerted the Gas Coordination Group, made up of representatives of states, energy companies and gas pipeline operators.