Putin denies using gas supplies as a weapon to influence Europe / Article

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday denied that Russia was deliberately cutting gas supplies to Europe in order to contribute to the current rise in energy prices. Putin stressed that even during the Cold War, Moscow fulfilled its obligations and supplied gas to Western European countries.

The Kremlin’s host believes there are very different causes for Europe’s energy supply problems. Putin points out that the energy market itself will improve a lot, but in the case of Europe, the problem is too fast abandonment of nuclear energy and also not very successful extraction of green energy.

“Over the last ten years, the share of renewable electricity in the total balance has grown rapidly. It’s kind of good. It has begun to play a significant and significant role. What to say there – thank God! However, the main difference in this sector is the instability of electricity production, “Putin points out.

“Huge reserve capacities are needed. But if natural conditions cause disruptions, these reserves are not enough. This is exactly what happened this year, when the fall in wind energy on the European market created an energy shortage. Its prices immediately rose and it served as a trigger. rising prices in the gas market as well. “

During his speech, Putin emphasized that Russia may soon become a global leader in the gas export market, and that various gas pipeline projects – “South Stream”, “Turkish Stream”, “North Stream” are being jointly implemented to ensure Europe’s energy security. .

The Kremlin owner added that the Germans were must bow deeply to his former chancellor, Gerhard Schröder that Germany currently pays $ 300 per 1,000 cubic meters for Russian gas instead of $ 1,000 or $ 1,500.

Schroeder’s gratitude is probably enough for him, as he has been the chairman of the board of directors of the Russian state-owned company Rosneft for several years.

Putin emphasizes that gas is still one of the cleanest energy sources, which for a long time will also be a transition energy source on the way to completely green energy.

In his address, the Russian President stated that Russia plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and is ready to talk to all interested partners, including the European Union, on the way to this goal, provided that various “political prejudices” are dispelled.

Putin points out that Russia is very aware of the problem of climate change, because the average temperature in its territory is growing 2.5 times faster than in the whole world. Large forest fires were already raging in Russia this summer.

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