Energy Headlines

The European Union (EU) is poised to launch a legal attack on Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom in a move likely to enflame the region’s ongoing dispute with Vladimir Putin.

It is understood that the company could be charged under EU anti-trust legislation with overcharging wholesale gas customers in Eastern Europe.

However, by issuing the legal challenge, the EU risks provoking Mr Putin, Russia's president, who has threatened to turn off gas supplies to Europe on several occasions amid his dispute with the Ukrainian government.

Gazprom supplies Europe with about a third of its natural gas supplies but it has been under investigation since 2012 amid accusations that it has attempted to interrupt the flow of gas across Europe.

According to a report by Reuters, the company could receive a formal complaint from European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday.

Gazprom flexed its muscles last June when it cut gas deliveries to Ukraine amid a dispute over prices. The Kremlin claimed it was owed $5.3bn (£3.2bn) for the gas delivered to Ukraine.

The EU challenge to Gazprom comes just a few days after Brussels charged internet search giant Google with monopoly abuse over the way it promotes its own shopping comparison service in general web search result.