Putin says he is considering proactively cutting off gas to Europe, but Russia remains a reliable energy supplier to all partners.

According to CCTV International News, Russian President Putin stated in an interview with Russian media on March 4 local time that the current rise in oil and natural gas prices is indeed happening, which is caused by restrictions on Russian energy as well as the combined factors of U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran. Furthermore, the European Union is planning a comprehensive ban on the import of Russian pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas.

Putin said that since the EU will eventually ban the import of Russian gas, it would be better for Russia to proactively "cut off" Europe, stop supplying the European market, and turn to emerging markets instead.

According to an earlier Xinhua report, on January 26 this year, the 27 member states of the European Union officially passed regulations to gradually ban the import of Russian pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas. According to these regulations, the EU will comprehensively ban the import of Russian pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas, and the ban will take effect six weeks after the regulations become law, with transitional periods for existing contracts. The announcement shows that a comprehensive ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas will take effect at the beginning of 2027, while the comprehensive ban on the import of pipeline natural gas will take effect in autumn of 2027.

According to CCTV News, Putin stated that Russia has always been, and still is, a reliable energy supplier to all partners, including European partners. Russia will continue cooperation with partners who themselves are reliable collaborators, such as Slovakia and Hungary in Eastern Europe. Russia will supply these countries with oil, natural gas, and other energy sources, and plans to continue doing so in the future provided these countries’ leadership continues to pursue their current policies and remains Russia's reliable partner.

In contrast to Putin's latest statement, according to a previous CCTV News report, Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland said at a meeting in Oslo, the capital of Norway, on March 3 that the EU has always made it clear it hopes to move away from reliance on Russian oil and gas, but events that have occurred over the past three or four days have made the situation more difficult. Given the current geopolitical situation, he believes relevant discussions will restart.

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