MOSCOW, January 14. /TASS/. Risks persist this winter for Russian natural gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller said on Wednesday.

“Transit risks persist this winter on the territory of Ukraine because Ukraine failed in November-December last year to purchase required volumes of Russian gas over financial difficulties and considerably reduced gas reserves in underground storage facilities,” the Gazprom head said.

Miller also said Gazprom is currently working on a development strategy with view to EU’s plans for Energy Union.

“Our strategy and our further action will depend on the plans for the EU Energy Union. For us, it will entail new challenges and opportunities. We hope that the establishment of the Energy Union will in no way reduce the reliability and safety of energy supply,” said Miller.