MOSCOW

European nations that still purchase Russian gas want shipments to continue through Ukraine, but the Russian deputy prime minister on Tuesday described Ukraine as an "unreliable" transit country.

Aleksandr Novak at a press conference in Moscow reaffirmed Russia's willingness to maintain gas deliveries.

However, he described Ukraine as an “unreliable” transit country, arguing that it puts dependent countries in a difficult position in terms of affordable energy supplies.

Noting that European countries currently receiving gas through this way want the partnership to continue, however, he said the contract governing the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine is set to expire at the end of the year.

Any extension depends on agreements between European countries and Ukraine, he added.

Novak also addressed inflation trends, noting that Russia’s inflation rate, which was 8.5% at the end of October, is expected to decline to 8% by year-end.

He added that the government and the Russian Central Bank will monitor inflation closely through November and December, maintaining a tight fiscal policy.

*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun