“The shadow on the wattle fence”: Putin explained the behavior of Europe, Gazprom and gas prices – Rosbalt

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the “destruction” of long-term contracts, and not the behavior of Gazprom in the market, has led to record gas prices in Europe. He stated this today during a large press conference.

“They lie all the time, they put a shadow on the fence (about the guilt of the Russian concern – ed.). Gazprom supplies (to Europe – ed.) The entire volume requested by the counterparties under the existing contracts, ”the head of state assured.

Moreover, he pointed out, Gazprom not only supplies the entire volume under contracts, but also increases supplies, although Russia is not the only fuel supplier to the European market.

Putin noted that the Russian Federation does not seize the gas market in Europe and has repeatedly warned Europe in the danger of destroying the system of long-term contracts for gas supplies. “There is no need to destroy long-term contracts. We were told that the market will regulate. So he adjusted it. Please shave, ”the president commented on record gas prices in Europe.

“They in (EU – ed.), Having picked up the volume from us, having received more than under the contract, are now selling it. But that’s not all. They turned it on in reverse mode, but how can you apply the obverse? ”Putin wonders.

In his opinion, part of the gas is directed to Ukraine, “trying to support someone’s pants there,” instead of being supplied to Germany and influencing prices on the spot.

We add that today gas prices in Europe have dropped below $ 1,700 per thousand cubic meters, although a new historical record was set earlier – $ 2,190.

Let us also remind that today the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is already holding a large annual press conference at the 17th. As previously indicated by the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov, 507 media employees were accredited for the event, including media foreign agents, who will be able to freely ask questions to the president. We add that Putin first tested the format of communication with journalists 20 years ago – in 2001.