He stated this during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We are closely monitoring the situation.

Of course, the current situation is a cause for concern.

So far, unfortunately, in the near future we do not see in the short term that the balance of supply and demand in Europe will be straightened out, ”RIA Novosti quoted Novak as saying.

According to him, a lot will depend on the autumn-winter period, temperature and Europe's gas needs.

Earlier, the official representative of the German Cabinet of Ministers Steffen Seibert said that the German authorities are closely monitoring the situation on the gas market in the EU and are in constant contact with Russia.