By Andrea Thomas

BERLIN--European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said Thursday he is convinced Russia will continue to deliver gas to Europe despite recent economic sanctions imposed against Moscow, adding that the European Union is well prepared to deal with any supply cuts.

"The Russians themselves are interest in the delivery. They need the revenues for their state budget every day. Gazprom depends on selling gas to Europe. The Russians have invested billions in gas pipelines," Mr. Oettinger said on German television. "I believe that the dependency is mutual and that the daily gas contracts will be respected."

But he also said that Europe would be to handle the situation even if Russia were to interrupt deliveries. "We have filled our gas tanks well and can live without any imports for many days," Mr. Oettinger said. "We have prepared a thorough strategy on how to survive in the energy market in the short term or the long term, regardless of what Russia is doing."

Mr. Oettinger mentioned Norway and Algeria as possible alternative for gas supply as well as imports of liquefied natural gas by boat.

The comments come after the EU adopted economic sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, including trade and investment restrictions that hit Russia's banks, oil industry and military. Russia's foreign ministry warned Wednesday that European sanctions will lead to higher prices on the European energy market. Europe gets about a third of its gas from Russia.

Write to Andrea Thomas at andrea.thomas@wsj.com

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