Russia says will ensure oil flows to Europe

By Denis Dyomkin and Tanya Mosolova

DUSHANBE/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian officials promised on Thursday they would not cut oil flows to Europe in response to threatened sanctions, a step Moscow has never yet taken even in the worst moments between Russia and the West.

Britain's Daily Telegraph had earlier reported that the Russian government had told at least one oil company to prepare to cut deliveries to Europe if sanctions were imposed.

As Europe prepared its response to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Georgia, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, the chairman of Russia's largest oil company Rosneft, called the suggestion of possible cuts a "crude provocation".

"Even during the Cold War, regardless of political or any other circumstances, the Soviet Union always fulfilled its contractual obligations to supply Europe with energy, and Russia, a responsible and reliable partner, adheres to the same principle," state news agency RIA quoted Sechin as saying.

Russia's energy minister said Moscow was doing everything it could to ensure stable oil supplies on its key supply line to Europe, the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline.

"We are doing everything we can so Druzhba can keep working stably and supply European consumers with enough oil," Sergei Shmatko told reporters in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

A senior oil industry official dismissed Friday's Daily Telegraph report, saying: "It's total nonsense."

European Union heads of state meet on Monday to formulate a response to Russia's invasion of Georgia, which was attempting to retake two Russia-friendly separatist provinces, as well as a Kremlin decision to recognise the rebels as independent states.