Gazprom has done everything in its power, once again proving its reputation as a responsible supplier and a reliable partner.”

Gazprom and Naftogaz entered into an agreement to arrange for the transmission of gas across Ukrainian territory. Naftogaz is thus acting as the transit organizer and assuming the associated risks.

Last week, Russia and Ukraine announced the terms of a new gas transit deal under which Moscow will supply Europe for at least five years via its former Soviet neighbor and pay a $2.9 billion settlement to Kiev to end a legal dispute.

In the wake of the global financial crisis, growth in Turkey became increasingly dependent on externally-funded credit and demand stimulus, and, as a result, Turkey’s economy began running above potential with a large current account deficit and high inflation.

“Of course we will finish building (the pipeline)... Gazprom has alternative options for how to lay it. It will take a little more time, but that’s no big deal,” Medvedev told journalists, adding that it could take a couple more months.

Gazprom is showing that the strategy chosen for 2020 -- and potentially over the longer term -- is to defend its market share in Europe by flooding the Continent with cheap gas, send alternative sources of supply, in particular LNG, out of the money, traders told

Spending an estimated Eur66 billion on the three projects, Gazprom clearly saw money as being no object to achieving its goals -- be they economic, geopolitical or both.

It was highlighted that the ongoing global growth in natural gas consumption is one of the chief trends of 2019.

Ukraine is a key transit route for Russian piped gas exports to Europe and the existing deal between the two post-Soviet countries expires at the end of 2019.

"The organizing company [Naftogaz] will reserve transport capacities for five years in the amount of 225 Bcm, including 65 Bcm for 2020, 40 Bcm for 2021 and subsequent years, subject to the establishment of a competitive tariff," Miller told reporters.

“Such sanctions are a serious interference in the internal affairs of Germany and Europe and their sovereignty. We firmly reject this,” Scholz told German broadcaster ARD in comments released on Saturday. But he rejected countermeasures.

The EU first imposed energy sanctions in July 2014 when it limited Russia 's access to European technology and services for developing Arctic, deepwater and unconventional oil resources.

Switzerland’s AllSeas Group SA removed vessels that were laying the last section of the pipeline connecting Russia with Germany, which was just weeks away from completion, after U.S. President Donald Trump approved sanctions targeting the project.

In anticipation of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Allseas has suspended its Nord Stream 2 pipelay activities. Allseas will proceed, consistent with the legislation’s wind down provision and expect guidance comprising of the necessary regulatory, technical and environmental clarifications from the relevant US authority.

After hours of talks brokered by the European Commission in Berlin, Sefcovic said: "I am very glad to say we have reached agreement in principle on all key elements, which is very positive news for Europe, for Russia, for Ukraine and for the gas market."