Gazprom warns sanctions could hit gas exports to Europe

Russian natural gas exporter Gazprom has warned furtherWestern sanctions over Ukraine could disrupt gas exports.“An expansion of the US, EU and other sanctions programmes could adverselyimpact operations and the financial condition of the Gazprom Group,” it said.The firm, which provides 30% of Europe’s gas, has not been hit by US or Europeansanctions.The warning came as Gazprom posted a 7% drop in 2013 profit.The warning comes after Ukraine on Tuesday threatened to take Gazprom to court,over what it says are inflated gas prices, if the Russian energy firm refuses a newpayment deal.Russia almost doubled Ukraine’s gas price after the toppling of President ViktorYanukovich in February.Gazprom has threatened to cut supplies to Ukraine over an unpaid gas bill that it puts at more than $2bn and warned this could lead to reduced deliveries to clientsin Europe.