Amos Hochstein, senior adviser to the U.S. president on global energy security, said yesterday that Putin's behavior clearly indicates that he will use gas as a political weapon, Reuters reports.

"I think we're close to that limit if Russia actually has gas to supply and doesn't do it, and will only do it if Europe accepts its other demands, which are completely unrelated," Hochstein responded to a media question.

China's drought season, which has affected the reduction of hydropower production along with European events, has also had an impact in the area of large-scale competition for gas, the senior advisor said.

Today, the Russian Federation, according to Hochstein, can help Europe because it is in a better position to do so.

"I have no doubt, and the International Energy Agency has confirmed, that the only supplier that can really make a big difference for European energy security at this winter's time is Russia. Russia can increase gas production, and it can do it quickly with existing pipelines," Hochstein said.

Earlier it became known about Putin's refutation of the assumption that Moscoe will reduce gas supplies. Russia will increase the supply of gas as much as required by its partners, the Russian president said.

After the approval of the pipeline "Nord Stream-2," Putin said, Russia will be able to supply large quantities of gas to Europe, where record high prices are set for it.

According to the head of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz Yuriy Vitrenko, by reducing gas reserves Russia is blackmailing Europe in order to certify Nord Stream 2.

Hochstein noted that Nord Stream 2 will be approved around the end of March. Therefore, Russia can use the opportunity to increase gas supplies now, through the existing pipelines.