The total natural gas exported by Russia to European countries increased by 18% to 20% year on year (YoY) from January to November, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on December 25.

The total natural gas delivered to Europe by pipeline and liquefied natural gas exported to Europe by Russia this year has exceeded 50 billion cubic meters, up 18-20% YoY. Despite the pressure of sanctions on Russia, the market still has demand for Russian natural gas, Novak noted.

The growth in Russia's total gas exports this year is based on a lower base in 2023. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out in February 2022, and Russia's relations with Western countries deteriorated. The total amount of natural gas delivered by Russia to European countries via pipelines in 2023 plummeted by 55.6% to 28.3 billion cubic meters, Reuters reported.

Russia's natural gas supply to Europe via pipeline is expected to recover to around 32 billion cubic meters this year, based on Gazprom's daily export volume and statistics from European gas pipeline operators.

About half of Russia's natural gas exports to Europe are transported to Slovakia and other European countries via pipelines passing through Ukraine, while the rest is transported via the Black Sea submarine pipeline "Turkish Stream". Currently, Russia's natural gas exports to Europe are still facing challenges.