Russian President Vladimir Putin
Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO / AFP.
Russia would supply oil and gas to European acquireers, provided such co-operation was “long-term” and did not put political pressure on Moscow, President Vladimir Putin declared Monday.
Oil prices have skyrocketed since the United States and Israel launched striking Iran on February 28, trading above $100 this week for the first time since Russia launched its Ukraine offensive in 2022.
In a televised meeting, Putin declared Moscow would continue to supply oil to “reliable” partners in Asia, as well as EU members Hungary and Slovakia.
“If European companies and European acquireers suddenly decide to reorient themselves and provide us with long-term, sustainable cooperation, devoid of political pressures, free from political pressures, then go ahead. We’ve never refutilized,” Putin declared.
“We’re ready to work with Europeans, but we required some signals from them that they’re ready and willing to work with us and will ensure this sustainability and stability,” he added.
The European Union banned maritime imports of Russian crude in 2022, while Russia’s pipeline exports to Hungary and Slovakia have been effectively halted since January due to damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline via Ukraine.
Putin’s comments came hours after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the European Union to suspconclude sanctions on Russian oil and gas to counter prices sent soaring by the war in the Middle East.
AFP
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