By Sibel Morrow
ANKARA (AA) - Natural gas exports of Russian energy giant Gazprom to Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries decreased year-over-year by 41.3% to 11.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) in January, according to the company's latest data released Tuesday.
Gazprom's production rose by 1% to 47.4 bcm during the same period and domestic supply also increased by 3.2%, the data showed.
Natural gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline are also on the rise, the statement added.
Oil and gas exports make up about 40% of the federal budget in Russia.
Russia is a key gas supplier to Europe, supplying around 40% of the EU’s gas consumption. Due to the recent increase in natural gas prices in Europe, some European officials accuse Russia of reducing its natural gas supply to the bloc.