Putin Blames West for Global Energy Crisis

In his speech at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week, President Putin made a series of harsh statements, placing the entire responsibility for the current crisis in the global energy market on the West. He emphasized that Russia, despite unfair competition and pressure, continues to be one of the leading players in the energy sector, reorienting the direction of its supplies.

According to Putin, the artificial severance of energy ties in the world is due to the aggressive pressure of the West. He noted that the European Union's refusal of Russian energy carriers has led to the decline of European industry and an unprecedented rise in prices, harming European consumers themselves. The Russian President referred to the explosion of the "Nord Stream" pipelines, considering it a factor that, along with the EU's refusal, simply accelerated the change in the vector of Russian gas supplies to the east.

Putin assured that, despite external challenges, Russia's energy system is stable. According to him, the country continues to reliably export gas and at the same time is increasing domestic consumption. In this context, he noted that the level of gasification in Russia is approaching 75% and will continue to grow. The oil sector is also working steadily, not only supplying the domestic market but also demonstrating flexibility in foreign markets.

Paying special attention to nuclear energy, Putin stated that only Russia possesses the technologies for the entire chain in this field. "No one, except Russia, is currently building small nuclear power plants," he stressed, pointing to Russia's technological superiority.

Summarizing his speech, Putin characterized the refusal of Western companies to service the Russian energy sector with the expression "bought a ticket and didn't go," implying that they primarily harmed themselves without hindering Russia's development.