Russia is ready to turn up the gas taps and deliver more gas to Europe if the Europeans ask for it. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at an energy conference in the Russian capital, Moscow, on Wednesday.
- If they ask us to increase further, we are ready to increase further. We will increase as much as our partners ask, says Putin.
Europe is hit by an energy crisis, where prices for natural gas, among other things, have reached record highs. Some European politicians have accused Russia of not pumping enough gas to Europe. Russia supplies a third of the gas used in Europe.
The Russian government has repeatedly denied that it is intentionally withholding gas. On Wednesday, Putin said it was "nonsense" to suspect Russia of using gas as a political weapon.
Putin: Political gossip
What is happening in the energy markets in Europe right now is the result of short-term politics, the Russian president believes. He adds that Russia and the state gas company Gazprom are living up to the obligations that have been contracted.
- It is politically motivated gossip with no basis in reality, he says.
The accusations that Russia is holding back on gas are then made to put pressure on European governments to more quickly obtain final approval for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. It runs via the Baltic Sea to Germany.
The United States is against the project, as are some European governments. They believe that Europe is becoming too dependent on Russia.
Ritzau/Reuters
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