ISTANBUL, October 22. /TASS/. Energy cooperation between Russia and Europe cannot come to an end and will always exist in one form or another, Novatek CEO Leonid Mikhelson told reporters on the sidelines of the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum.

"I believe it cannot come to an end. It will always exist in one form or another," Mikhelson said.

Earlier at the forum, the Novatek CEO said that it was impossible to exclude Russian LNG volumes from the global supply-demand balance. "Most likely, if the EU’s decision to stop Russian supplies [from January 1, 2027 - TASS] remains in force, the situation will only worsen. LNG production facilities around the world are currently operating at full capacity," he noted.

Mikhelson also pointed out that global energy agencies’ forecasts for gas demand growth could only be revised upward due to rising energy consumption by data centers.