Ukrainian gas disputes not felt in Germany

BERLIN, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- German gas firm E.ON said Friday it had assurances from Russia and Ukraine that supplies would not be decreased amid a gas row between the two countries.

Russian energy monopoly Gazprom cut off Ukraine from natural gas supplies over disputes regarding debt payments. A similar disagreement in 2006 brought disruptions to European gas markets, as 80 percent of the Russian gas bound for Europe travels through Ukraine.

E.ON spokesman Helmut Roloff told Russian media outlets Germany was monitoring supplies along major energy arteries, but did not see any decrease in gas supplies, RIA Novosti reported Friday.

"Russian gas is being supplied to us in full," the spokesman said.

Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz reportedly told Gazprom Wednesday it would confiscate Russian gas if the Russian monopoly cut off supplies.

Europe called on both sides Thursday to resolve the issue. "All existing commitments to supply and transit must be honored," a statement said.