MOSCOW, Feb. 16 - Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak criticized the practice of importing gas into Ukraine via “reverse mode“ but admitted the practice is legal.

"It is clear to all that these reverse supplies are artificial: gas doesn't arrive in Ukraine from Austria or Slovakia, but from the Velke Kapusany gas distribution station on the Slovakia-Ukraine border, through which Russian gas transits to Europe. This is our Russian gas, only purchased by Ukraine through European intermediaries," Novak told Interfax.