Russia is increasing its supplies of energy resources to its reliable partners in various regions of the world and is ready to work with Europe, but is waiting for the relevant signals from its side, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting dedicated to the situation on the global oil and gas market, TASS reported, BTA reported.
Putin indicated that Russia will continue to supply fuel to countries that are reliable buyers, including Slovakia and Hungary. The Russian president added that his country is ready to supply oil and gas to Europe, but expects the EU to signal its readiness to abandon the political situation in this area.
"If European companies, European buyers suddenly decide to reorient themselves and provide us with long-term, sustainable joint work, devoid of political circumstances... please, we have never given up, we are ready to work with the Europeans," Putin said. "But we need some signals from them that they are ready and also want to work and will provide us with this sustainability and stability," the president emphasized.
"I would like to note that Russia has repeatedly warned that attempts to destabilize the situation in the Middle East will inevitably put the global fuel and energy complex under threat," the head of state also said. The disruptions in oil and gas supply chains caused by the conflict in the Middle East are affecting the entire system of international economic relations, Putin warned.
According to him, Moscow has been paying attention to the fact that attempts to destabilize this region will affect the growth of energy prices, limit hydrocarbon supplies around the world and disrupt long-term investment plans. "Judging by everything, this is exactly what is happening," the Russian president summed up.
Due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all world oil and gas supplies pass.
The price of "Brent" oil today exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since August 2022, reaching $119. The price of gas on the European stock exchange at the opening of trading for the first time since January 2023 exceeded $800 per 1,000 cubic meters.