Joe Biden: Russia Cannot Manipulate Natural Gas For Political Gain

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed efforts to prevent Russia from manipulating natural gas flows for political purposes.

"Biden stressed the importance of ensuring that Russia cannot manipulate natural gas flows for dangerous political purposes," the White House said in a statement.

The US president delivered the message while in Rome for a meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) countries. The White House added that Biden and Merkel also discussed the situation in Afghanistan.

Earlier on Saturday, data from a German pipeline operator showed that the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe had stalled in the Yamal-Europe section of the pipeline that carries gas to Germany via Poland.

Russia sends gas to western Europe via several different routes, including the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which has an annual capacity of up to 33 billion cubic meters.

However, Russian natural gas company Gazprom said on Saturday that European customers' natural gas needs were being met.

The flow of Russian gas exports is closely watched at a time when gas prices in Europe are soaring as the global economy recovers from the pandemic while gas supplies remain low.

Gazprom has been accused of not doing its best to increase the supply of natural gas to Europe. The allegations were made by the International Energy Agency and several European parliamentarians.

However, the Russian gas company said it had fulfilled its obligations under the contract.