The price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. is at least 30-40 percent higher than Russian pipeline gas, Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Saturday.
According to Russian news agency Tass, Novak said that the U.S. wants Europe to buy its LNG but the price of which is at least 30-40 percent higher than Russia's piped gas.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russian pipeline systems linked to consumers in Europe don't have competitors.
'All our pipeline systems connected to main consumers in Europe do not actually have competitors if Europe certainly wants to remain competitive and does not want to buy at an exorbitant price from some other producers,' Putin said.
Russia remained the EU's top supplier, covering 43 percent of total supplies, followed by Norway with 34 percent and LNG imports with 12 percent in 2017.
The U.S. LNG mainly goes to Asian market through spot contracts. However, in the coming years with more projects coming online, the U.S. is expected to become one of the main gas suppliers for Europe.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr