Gazprom is ready to increase gas supplies to Europe amid rising prices, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported, citing Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Reuters reports.

Gazprom is interested in concluding several gas supply contracts, added Dmitry Peskov.

Referring to the level of gas stored in Europe, he said: “Is it possible to get more gas from Gazprom, which will be pumped into storage capacity? It is possible. Gazprom is ready. Moreover, the company has already covered all requests to increase deliveries.”

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called on Russia to supply more gas to Europe, saying the current energy crisis is an opportunity for Moscow to show that it is “a reliable supplier”.

Russia is fulfilling its contractual obligations to deliver gas to Europe, but its exports to the continent are still at a lower level than in 2019, before the pandemic. A higher amount of natural gas would help Europe increase its reserves before winter, according to the IEA report quoted by Agerpres.

Peskov reaffirmed that Gazprom is fulfilling all its gas supply obligations.

“Is Gazprom for more, for signing more contracts? Gazprom is interested in such a thing, because our consumers in Europe are our main partners,” the Russian official said.

European reference gas prices have risen by more than 250% since January due to low stocks, high demand in Asia and disruptions. Rising energy prices have brought electricity costs in Europe to the highest level in years and the situation is unlikely to change by the end of the year, which means large bills for winter heating for consumers.