⁍ Russia’s gas exporting monopoly Gazprom recently approached Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state natural gas firm, about booking more capacity to transport gas to Europe.

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⁍ Gazprom is hoping to finish the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that would bypass Ukraine, which charges Gazprom transit fees.

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⁍ The pipeline was halted late last year by U.S. sanctions.

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– Gazprom, Russia’s gas exporting monopoly, has approached Ukraine’s state natural gas firm about booking more capacity to transport gas to Europe, a sign Gazprom is worried that US sanctions are targeting its pipeline project to avoid Ukraine. Andriy Kobolyev, chief executive of Naftogaz, tells Reuters that Gazprom “approached us over the summer asking us for more capacity, to be booked” on Ukraine’s gas transport system. Naftogaz had already booked 65 billion cubic meters of capacity in 2020. Gazprom is hoping to finish the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that would bypass Ukraine, which charges Gazprom transit fees. The pipeline was halted late last year by US sanctions. “If Nord Stream 2 is not launched then they will likely have to book additional capacity for next year,” Kobolyev said. Gazprom did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Russian pipe-laying vessel, which Gazprom hopes will complete a final segment, was headed this week toward a German hub which stores pipes for the project. The Trump administration, like the Obama administration, has opposed the project, arguing it would increase Russia’s influence in Europe. But Germany and other countries say it is a commercial project. Kobolyev met with US officials pushing for those. “Our aim is to make sure that there’s no option for this project to be finished,” he said.