KIEV, Jan. 9 - Ukraine’s natural gas pipelines operate in a “stable” mode despite the suspension of Russian gas supplies to the European Union, a top official at Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the state gas company, said Thursday.

Volodymyr Trykolych, a deputy head of Naftogaz, responded to mounting concerns in Europe that Russia’s move may actually cause severe damages and even potentially break the system.