Call Russia Ready For Gas Supply Through Nord Stream 2, President Putin: The Ball In The European Union, We Never Limit

President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Kremlin/RIA Novosti/Grigory Sysoev)

JAKARTA - Russia is ready to start gas supplies to Europe via the remaining Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, ensuring Moscow has never made restrictions, President Vladimir Putin said at the Russian Energy Week forum.

"The capacity (surviving strings) is 27.5 billion cubic meters per year, about 8 percent of total gas imports to Europe. Russia is ready to start such supplies. The ball is on the European Union side, as the saying says. We do not restrict anyone, including readiness to supply extra volume during winter," the President said as quoted by TASS on October 13.

On the occasion, President Putin said Russia was prohibited from participating in the investigation of gas pipeline incidents.

"I regret saying we were not allowed to survey (the remaining) strings but the pressure was maintained (inside)," he said.

"The pressure is maintained, meaning that it is in an operating condition, for all appearances," said President Putin.

President Putin's remarks regarding the willingness to continue gas supply come amid sharp political differences between Russia and the European Union. Russia has not delivered gas to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 route since August, and the Nord Stream 2 has been suspended after Russia invaded Ukraine, citing the BBC.

The February invasion led to an increase in gas prices, and EU customers face record rates this winter.

Russia itself has been accused of using gas supply as a counter-West weapon since the invasion of Ukraine, accusations that the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.

And, the Kremlin leader also proposed setting up an alternative European gas center through Turkey. Ankara has not publicly commented on the matter.

The European Union has adopted a series of measures to reduce the crisis, including a European pan-EU deal to cut gas use by 15 percent.