MOSCOW OPENS DOOR TO RENEWED GAS SUPPLIES FOR EUROPE

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 26 /SRNA - RIA Novosti/ - Moscow is ready to discuss gas supplies to Europe, provided there is interest from European countries and Russia has available volumes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"When the Europeans began reducing purchases of our gas, we began increasing sales on alternative markets. If there is interest from the West and if there are volumes of gas available for sale, then this could be discussed," Peskov told RIA Novosti.

He noted that gas volumes are not always available, as they may already be contracted for deliveries to other markets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that Moscow has never denied energy supplies to anyone, but that the Europeans themselves decided to give them up.

The conflict in the Middle East has led to a significant rise in gas prices in Europe.

Moscow has repeatedly pointed out that the EU's decision to move away from Russian energy has damaged the European economy, raised energy costs and reduced competitiveness.