The European Commission has noted the Ukrainian authorities' decision to buy only Russian gas and to give up purchases of gas from the EU.

However, Brussels recalls that gas shipments from Europe ensure Ukraine's competitiveness and energy security.

A representative of EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger, Sabine Berger, told this to Interfax-Ukraine in Brussels on Thursday.

She said shipping gas from the EU represents an opportunity for Ukraine to increase its competitiveness and the security of its gas supplies. In this regard, the Commission acts as an intermediary, and decisions concerning the gas supplies from the EU are taken by individual countries and companies, she said.

Berger also said that the European Commission kept in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities in their efforts to reform Ukraine's energy sector in accordance with the commitments undertaken in the framework of the Energy Community.