top of page

Austria says Russia to cut off gas from Saturday

Austria says Russia to cut off gas from Saturday

LONDON/VIENNA - Russia told Austria on Friday it will suspend gas deliveries via Ukraine on Saturday, in a development that signals a fast-approaching end of Moscow's last gas flows to Europe.


Russia's oldest gas-export route to Europe, a pipeline dating back to Soviet days via Ukraine, is set to shut at the end of this year.


Ukraine has said it will not extend the transit agreement with Russian state-owned Gazprom in order to deprive Russia of profits that Kyiv says help to finance the war against it.


Moscow's suspension of gas for Austria, the main receiver of gas via Ukraine, means Russia will now only supply significant gas volumes to Hungary and Slovakia, in Hungary's case via a pipeline running mostly through Turkey. In contrast, Russia met 40% of the European Union's gas needs before Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.


Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Gazprom's notice of ending supplies was long expected and Austria has made preparations.


"No home will go cold ... gas-storage facilities are sufficiently full," he told reporters.


Gazprom declined to comment.


Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, said Russia's action showed it "once again uses energy as a weapon". But Austria, he said, would find a way to ensure energy security and "reject blackmail".


"The era of Europe relying on Russian gas is over," he said. Time to fully cut Russian energy profits -- and war funding."


OMV, Austria's biggest energy supplier, said it has been preparing for the eventual cut-off of Russian gas and can deliver gas to its customers by importing via Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.


Austria's gas imports from Russia will end following a contractual dispute between Gazprom and OMV.


In a notice published on the central European gas hub platform, OMV said Gazprom told it supply would stop on Saturday.


EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ADAPT


Gazprom's move may fan concerns in Austria about heating through the winter and served as Moscow's rebuke to its political class since the Russia-friendly Freedom Party was cut out of coalition talks after winning Austria's election in September, said Ulrich Schmid, a professor of Eastern European studies at the University of St. Gallen.


European and global gas prices spiked following a drop in Russian pipeline supplies in 2022 but some European countries found alternative sources, including liquefied natural gas from the United States. The U.S. has become the world's top gas producer and is expected to expand production.


Austria was one of the first western European countries to buy Russian gas when the Soviet Union signed a gas contract in 1968, months before the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.


Germany was also heavily reliant on Russian gas before the war, but shipments ceased when the Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea were blown up in 2022.


Russia's notice of ending gas supplies to Austria came as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany held their first phone conversation since December 2022.


Russia was ready to look at energy deals if Berlin was interested, the Kremlin said.


"It was emphasized that Russia has always strictly fulfilled its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if the German side shows interest in this," the Kremlin said.


Russia shipped some 15 billion cubic metres of gas via Ukraine in 2023, about 8% of peak Russian gas flows to Europe via various routes in 2018-2019, according to data compiled by Reuters.


In 2023, the Ukraine transit route met 65% of gas demand in Austria and its eastern neighbours Hungary and Slovakia, according to the International Energy Agency. Ukraine has said it doesn't plan to extend the transit agreement into 2025.


Hungary no longer receives much gas via Ukraine and imports volumes via the TurkStream pipeline that runs along the bed of the Black Sea. Slovakia still receives Russian gas via Ukraine.


Gazprom's move showed Russia flexing its muscles at the West as pressure builds for a ceasefire in Ukraine, said Schmid at the University of St. Gallen. Russia likely felt emboldened after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency this month pledging to quickly end the Ukraine war, he added.


EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson told Reuters on the sidelines of a UN climate conference in Azerbaijan that all EU countries receiving gas via the Ukraine route have access to other supply sources that could fill the gap.


"We have been very clear that alternative supply is available and there is no need for the continuation of Russian gas transiting via Ukraine to Europe," Simson said.


The European benchmark price for gas edged down 0.63 euro to 45.72 euros per megawatt hour at the trading close.


(Writing by Nina Chestney and Miranda Murray; reporting by Francois Murphy, Dave Graham, Pavel Polityuk, Yuliia Dysa, Thomas Seythal, Vladimir Soldatkin, Kate Abnett; Editing by Louise Heavens, David Evans, Rod Nickel, Ron Popeski and Cynthia Osterman)

Comments


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
Live: China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War

Live: China Imposes 34% Tariffs on U.S. Goods | Foreign Ministry Briefing | Trade War

Beijing, China — The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds its daily press briefing after announcing a sweeping 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. goods effective April 10. Watch for updates on China’s military drills near Taiwan, South China Sea tensions, Indo-Pacific security, Israel-Gaza conflict, and U.S. strikes in Yemen. #China #USChinaTensions #SouthChinaSea #Taiwan #IndoPacific #GazaCrisis #YemenStrikes #TradeWar #Geopolitics #PressBriefing Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Tokyo Stock Market Closes Amid Global Recession Fears | Asia Markets reaction to Tariffs
47:39

Live: Tokyo Stock Market Closes Amid Global Recession Fears | Asia Markets reaction to Tariffs

The Tokyo Stock Exchange ends the day with investor sentiment rattled by growing concerns of a tariff-driven global recession. Market volatility continues as trade tensions weigh on stocks. Get the latest update on Japan's financial markets and global economic impact. Subscribe for more financial news from Asia. #TokyoStockExchange #JapanMarkets #GlobalRecession #StockMarket #FinancialNews #TariffImpact #EconomicUpdate #JapanNews #AsiaMarkets #MarketClose Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Bolsonaro Supporters Rally in São Paulo for Amnesty | Jan 8 Protest | Brazil Politics
57:21

Live: Bolsonaro Supporters Rally in São Paulo for Amnesty | Jan 8 Protest | Brazil Politics

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Paulista Avenue, São Paulo, demanding amnesty for those charged over the January 8, 2023 coup acts. The protest follows rising tensions around the former president's judicial process. Watch exclusive scenes and reactions from the ground. #Bolsonaro #BrazilProtests #SaoPaulo #Jan8 #AmnestyNow #BrazilNews #CoupAttempt #PaulistaAvenue #ProtestLive #SouthAmericaNews Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Macron in Egypt: Talks with Sisi, Gaza Meeting & Business Forum | France-Africa Ties

Live: Macron in Egypt: Talks with Sisi, Gaza Meeting & Business Forum | France-Africa Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day visit to Cairo, Egypt. Key events include a welcome by President Sisi, Gaza-focused trilateral talks with Jordan's King Abdullah, business agreements, and metro project visits. Stay tuned for highlights, statements, and behind-the-scenes coverage. SCHEDULE (TIMINGS APPROX): 0700GMT - Welcome ceremony with Egypt's President Sisi 0845GMT - Signing of agreements 0930GMT - Joint statements 1000GMT - Arrival of Jordan King Abdullah 1005GMT - Trilateral talks on Gaza 1205GMT - Working lunch - NO PRESS ACCESS 1300GMT - Closing of Franco-Egyptian business forum 1430GMT - Visit with Sisi of metro line operated by France's RATP 1550GMT - Presentation of new campus project 1600GMT - Cairo University 1900GMT - Working dinner #Macron #EgyptVisit #CairoNews #GazaTalks #FranceEgypt #MiddleEast #MacronInEgypt #JordanKing #MetroTour #Diplomacy Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
World News | Trump Tariffs, EU,  Israel, Myanmar, France, Amaravati Today | VISTA Ep 34
14:40

World News | Trump Tariffs, EU, Israel, Myanmar, France, Amaravati Today | VISTA Ep 34

France's cognac makers, buffeted by trade wars, reel from Trump's tariffs EU seeks unity in first strike back at Trump tariffs US starts collecting Trump's 10% tariff, smashing global trade norms Rains add to challenge for Myanmar quake relief, toll at 3,471 Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings Russia says Ukraine 'multiplying' energy attacks despite US-brokered moratorium Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Live: Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election: RN Rally in Paris Sparks Outrage | France Politics
02:17:28

Live: Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election: RN Rally in Paris Sparks Outrage | France Politics

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) holds a major rally in Paris supporting Marine Le Pen, who has been barred from the 2027 presidential race following a graft conviction. The event marks growing tensions in French politics as supporters challenge the ruling. Watch the full coverage of the rally and reactions. #MarineLePen #FrancePolitics #ParisRally #RNParty #FrenchElection #LePen2027 #FarRightFrance #NationalRally #GraftCase Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page