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MOSCOW: Russia can send its natural gas to the markets of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak was quoted by state TASS news agency as saying.
Novak also said that in the long-term, Russia can send its natural gas to the markets of Afghanistan and Pakistan, either using the infrastructure of Central Asia, or in a swap from the territory of Iran.
Also read: Pakistan to import 20000 tons Gas cargo from Azerbaijan: Musadik
In a wide-ranging interview with the TASS agency, parts of which have been published throughout the weekend, Novak also said that Russia has agreed with Azerbaijan to increase gas supplies for its domestic consumption.
“In the future, when they increase gas production, we will be able to discuss swaps,” he said.
Moscow is ready to resume gas supplies to Europe through the Yamal-Europe Pipeline. He further said “the European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies.”
“For example, the Yamal-Europe Pipeline, which was stopped for political reasons, remains unused.”
The Yamal-Europe Pipeline usually flows westward, but has been mostly reversed since December of 2021 as Poland turned away from buying from Russia in favour of drawing on stored gas in Germany.
In May, Warsaw terminated its agreement with Russia, after earlier rejecting Moscow’s demand that it pays in roubles.
Russian supplier Gazprom (GAZP.MM) responded by cutting off supply and also said it would no longer be able to export gas via Poland after Moscow imposed sanctions against the firm that owns the Polish section of the Yamal-Europe pipeline.