Putin threatens to stop gas supplies to EU early amid war in Iran

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is attempting to use the war in Iran to try to push the European Union to reconsider its plans to phase out Russian gas.

Source: Russian Telegram channel Agentstvo.Novosti

Details: Putin said Moscow could stop supplying gas to the EU before the Union introduces its planned restrictions. He had earlier claimed that Russia was prepared to resume supplies at any time.

"They [the EU – ed.] plan to introduce restrictions on the purchase of Russian gas, including liquefied gas, in a month, and then in a year's time, in 2027, new restrictions up to a complete ban.

But now other markets are opening up. And it may be more beneficial for us to stop supplies to the European market right now. To move to those markets that are opening up and establish ourselves there," Putin said in an interview with Kremlin-aligned journalist Pavel Zarubin.

The Kremlin leader described this not as a decision but as "thinking out loud", while promising to instruct the Russian government to examine the issue together with companies.

Commenting on the situation in energy markets caused by the war in Iran, Putin said he is confident that American companies will leave the European market for places "where they pay more".

Background:

• The European Union plans to completely phase out supplies of Russian gas by 1 November 2027. The ban will apply to both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
• The war in Iran has led to gas shortages and rising prices.

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