Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev's met with Michael Glos, German Minister of Economics, in Berlin today.  Following their meeting they briefed the media:

• Ukraine blocked three key gas pipelines to Europe last night in a both "unprecedented" and "unilateral" move, said Medvedev.  “Ukraine is responsible for everything that has happened.”

• Ukraine must fulfill its responsibilities as a transit state.”

• “Regrettably, Ukraine has threatened to cut deliveries further.”

• There is “no need” for mediation “because we are professional enough to resolve this commercial problem ourselves.”

• Gazprom would try to use alternative delivery routes to avoid a crisis but "we don't have the option to compensate for the amount of gas that has been stolen." “There’s no physical possibility” of increasing supplies after Ukraine “throttled deliveries to Western Europe to one-quarter of normal.”

• Gazprom is ready to negotiate “day and night” with Ukraine to resolve the dispute. A solution is needed “as urgently as possible.”

• The situation in the Balkans is “especially worrying” and needs urgent measures.

• Michael Glos highlighted that Gazprom has always been a reliable supplier and urged both sides to “urgently return” to talks.