As Bulgaria is gripped by low temperatures, the news for restoration of Russian gas supply is warmly welcomed by citizens. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Russia resumed Tuesday morning natural gas supplies to Europe, the Russian gas monopoly "Gazprom" reported, cited by all leading information agencies.
The Russian "Gazprom" ordered the restoration of gas supply after the monitoring agreement was reached between the two countries. The agreement is endorsed and was signed with the active mediation on the part of the European Commission and provides for European gas experts to observe and supervise the supply of Russian gas via the Ukraine.
"Gazprom" informed that they have resumed gas supply to the Ukraine in the amount of 76 M cubic meters at 10:00 am Moscow time (9:00 am Bulgarian time), the Russian information agency ITAR-TASS reported, cited by the Bulgarian BTA.
Experts explain that three additional days would be needed for the Siberian gas to reach Europe, where hundreds of thousands of people were left without heat during one of the coldest winters in many years.
Also at 10:00 am, the Ukraine has received official notification from "Gazprom" about the restoration of gas supplies to Europe. The Ukrainian side had explained before ITAR-TASS that "the initial volume was only part of the necessary one and mostly a test transit."
Experts from the Ukrainian "Naftogaz" explained that 36 hours would be need for the gas flow to reach the country's Western border from its Eastern one, adding that after Russian gas supply was terminated about a week ago, nearly 1 M cubic meters of gas were left in the Ukrainian pipes.
"The pipes are not empty, there is gas inside which corresponds to the technology requirements," "Napftogaz pointed out.