GAZPROM, the Russian energy giant, warned European politicians that its expansion should not be blocked — and that it could seek to shift supplies to Asia if it were thwarted in its ambitions.

The company, a supplier of a quarter of Europe’s gas, made its remarks after a key meeting between Alexei Miller, the chief executive, and EU ambassadors in Moscow.

After the meeting, the company said: “It is necessary to note that attempts to limit Gazprom’s activities in the European market and politicise questions of gas supply, which in fact are entirely economic in nature, will not lead to good results.”

Gazprom was thought to have eyed a possible takeover of Centrica, owner of British Gas, in February, which is understood to have prompted deep unease in Whitehall. However, ministers have few powers to block takeovers in the energy sector. The Russian company went on to threaten that it was “actively familarising” itself with the North American and Chinese markets, hinting that it could opt to sell its gas elsewhere if it faced obstacles across Europe.

In January, Gazprom helped to prompt a major European political crisis when it cut supplies to the Continent following a dispute over pricing with the Ukraine. That left Germany and other EU countries briefly short of gas, and acted as a reminder that President Putin’s Russia is now a key player in energy supply in the region.

Gazprom does not yet supply the British market, but it has made little secret of its desire to break into the UK, which is rapidly becoming dependent on overseas supplies of gas. Gazprom accounts for at least 30 per cent of supplies to Germany, Italy and France.

Times Recommends

• Lies and cover-up at MG Rover exposed by report
• High oil prices push manufacturing costs up
• Primark founder steps down as chief executive