Gazprom began pumping more gas to Europe

In an interview with BBC's Hard Talk programme, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, said that Russian energy giant Gazprom is pumping more natural gas to stabilise the ongoing energy prices in Europe.

"We work deliberately, quietly, soberly towards stabilisation. It's not in our interest to rock the boat further," Ryabkov said.

During the interview Ryabkov rejected any accusations that Russia is withholding gas from Europe.

"We favour energy security of Europe; we want to work collaboratively" he said, explaining that the company has began pumping more gas into the market.

"We would prefer to have here a bear market. Russia is about bears now, it's not about bullies," Ryabkov said.