Russia's Gazprom has declared force majeure on gas supplies to Europe for at least one major consumer, according to a letter from Gazprom dated 14 July, seen by Reuters on Monday.

The letter said Gazprom, which has a monopoly on the export of Russian gas through pipelines, could not meet its supply obligations because of extraordinary circumstances beyond its control.

The letter also notes that force majeure, a provision that applies when circumstances beyond the company's control fall upon the company, will take effect from deliveries beginning on 14 June.

A source in trade circles said the letter concerns supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the main supply route to and from Germany.

The measure is likely to increase tensions between Russia and the West, the media noted.

The European Union, which has imposed sanctions against Moscow, intends to stop using Russian fossil fuels by 2027, but wants supplies to continue for now.

Russian gas supplies have been cut through major routes, including through Ukraine and Belarus and through Nord Stream 1 on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.

Nord Stream 1 is currently undergoing maintenance.