(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 30 DIC - Over the last week, volumes of Russian gas transit through Ukraine have decreased by 19%, Ukraine's Naftogaz said. Naftogaz said that since December 22 volumes of Russian gas transit through the Nord Stream and Opal pipelines have increased by 41%. "Gazprom increased the physical load of the Opal pipeline from 50% to 80% of its capacity. The data of Entsog (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas) let assume that there is a connection between intensification of using Opal and decrease of transit though Ukraine and Slovakia. That puts in question the affirmation that the European Commission's decision on expanding Gazprom's access to Opal and abandoning the European legislation will not result in decreasing volumes of Russian gas transit through the Ukrainian territory," the statement said. In October, the European Commission expanded Gazprom's access to the Opal gas pipeline by additional 40%.

"The combined daily supplies to Europe via Ukraine and Nord Stream remain stable. Russia is increasing finding ways to get its cheap natural gas into Europe without having to rely on Ukrainian pipelines. And if the Turkish Stream gets built according to plan over the next three years, Ukraine will have to find new ways to make money from the energy business instead of relying on the easy and steady flow of Russian gas transit fees", Forbes said. (ANSA).