00:00 With concerns about future energy supplies and its economy, Austria is said to be defying moves by other EU countries to cut its reliance on gas from Russia.
00:10 Moscow is still piping gas through Ukraine to Europe despite the war.
00:15 The flow could be affected when a contract between Ukraine and Russia expires next year.
00:20 The physical pipeline is still available. Gas can only flow with other partners. If a European marketer comes and says, "I would like to book the pipeline to transport gas,"
00:36 there is no direct contract between Naftogaz and Gazprom. So it will be fulfilled.
00:43 Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz issued a statement saying it has no intention or initiative to extend the existing supply contract from 2025.
00:54 It's not clear whether Austria would be able to use the Ukrainian pipeline on its own.
01:00 Vienna insists it's doing all it can to cut ties with the Kremlin but describes its situation as unique.
01:08 Euronews correspondent Johannes Plöschberger has more.
01:13 In order to replace Russian gas from the east, Austria wants to import gas from the west.
01:19 But construction work on the pipeline to Germany is necessary.
01:23 But construction work on the pipeline to Germany is necessary.
01:29 So two years too late.
01:31 Because of these delays, Austria is still dependent on Russia and Ukraine.
01:36 Johannes Plöschberger, Euronews, Vienna.
01:39 (whooshing)
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