“The available resource base allows us to satisfy the demand of European consumers at any volume. But of course this is not a quick process, because the policy carried out by the European Union was aimed at reducing demand,” Novak said in an interview with RBK.

The official noted that the Russian company Gazprom needs long-term contracts in order to achieve this, because increasing production requires large investments that should pay off over time.

Faced with accusations against Moscow for not supplying additional volumes of the fuel to Europe, Novak stressed the need to sign long-term contracts and then the country will be ready to deliver more. “That offer is always possible,” he stressed.

Regarding Ukraine’s boycott of the start-up of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Germany, the deputy prime minister said that Kiev will not be able to prevent its execution.

“We believe that this project is impossible to frustrate. It is built in accordance with all legal requirements,” he said.

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