Ukraine has announced it filed a complaint with the European Commission against Gazprom, accusing the Russian gas giant of deliberate gas shortage resulting in historically high prices.

In a statement, Yuri Vitrenko, CEO of the Ukrainian public group Naftogaz, said Gazprom's actions violate the laws of competition and have caused significant consequences for European consumers.

Naftogaz accuses Gazprom of sharply reducing the sale of its gas on the European market while freezing supplies from other Russian organizations, preventing the flow of gas from Central Asia through Russia to Europe, and committing a direct breach of European anti-monopoly law.

Vitrenko claims Russia is seeking to create an artificial shortage in order to ensure the operation of the "controversial" Nord Stream 2 pipeline as soon as possible. 

Germany Suspends Nord Stream 2 Approval Process

The German energy regulator said in November it was temporarily putting the approval process for the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline on hold, under the pretext that the company operating the pipeline must first become compliant with German law.

Germany's move constitutes the latest setback for the Russian energy project, as Western powers have tried to impede it many times in the years since its establishment.

The pipeline would double Russia's gas supplies to Germany, the EU's strongest economy, which Berlin says would help it transition from coal and nuclear energy.

German Economy Ministry anticipates Russia will honor future gas contracts

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy told Sputnik on Wednesday that according to its data, long-term supply contracts with Russia will be respected and that in short-term markets, high prices are the result of high demand.

The Ministry divulged that it was monitoring the situation and that gas supply assurance was secured with no interruptions to supply systems.

Earlier this week, Russian gas producer Gazprom reduced gas deliveries via the Yamal-Europe pipeline and subsequently reversed the flow. Russia was accused by Western corporations and officials of manipulating gas prices due to ongoing tensions with Ukraine and delays in approval of Nord Stream 2.

No Nord Stream 2 in case of "escalation" in Ukraine

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia will not be allowed to operate in the event of any new "escalation" in Ukraine, under an agreement between Berlin and Washington, Germany's new Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. 

"In the event of further escalation, this gas pipeline could not come into service," Baerbock told German television station ZDF, clarifying earlier threats made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.