MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Poland, one of the major consumers of the Russian gas in Europe, has been receiving the fossil fuel under the long-term contracts via the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which runs across Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany. In late May, Warsaw said that it wanted the long-term contracts with Gazprom "to be gone," and would try to rely on alternative gas supplies. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Gazprom would be able to replace Poland with any other European partner in this regard.
"I do not think that after 2022 we will extend the existing Yamal long-term contract [with Gazprom]. We are looking for other ways and arrangements. Of course, if the Russian side offers good terms, good price, we will regard this as an opportunity to start negotiations," Piotr Naimski said on Wednesday, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Naimski spoke before departure to Denmark, where he is due to accompany President Andrzej Duda later in the day. In Copenhagen, Duda is expected to discuss the construction of the Baltic Pipe, which would deliver gas from Norway to Poland.
Poland is the oldest buyer of gas from Russia. The first volumes of Russian gas was delivered to the country in 1944. Supplies from Russia meet 60 percent of Polish demand for gas, according to Russian energy giant Gazprom.
