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Follow the link to learn moreReverse-flow gas supplies to Ukraine from Europe could be legally disputed by Russia, although this does not concern the main reverse gas flow to Ukraine from the EU, i.e. that going from Slovakia, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said.
"In our view, this issue is not that easy, and lawyers are examining it today. It's possible that legal claims could be lodged in this sense on some contracts," Novak said in an interview with Sergei Brilyov, the host of a Saturday analytical program on Russian television.
"But the situation has truly changed in this sense. The capacity of the Vojany-Uzhgorod gas pipeline has been increased, and gas in fact is being partially shipped from Slovakia today. And we understand that, if this is a virtual reverse flow, then this is certainly unlawful, in our view. But if this is a physical reverse flow, then, of course, this complies with the existing laws and the existing contracts," Novak said.
Ukraine currently receives gas from Europe coming from territories of Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary.