“The entire philosophy of the last years of the European Commission has been aimed at regulating the energy market, including gas, through the exchange.
We were convinced of the need to abandon long-term contracts, the prices of which are tied to exchange prices, to market quotations for crude oil and petroleum products, ”Putin said.
According to him, the gas deficit in Europe could amount to about 70 billion cubic meters.
The Russian leader stressed that this situation is "a man-made result of the economic policy of the European Commission."
Earlier, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the European Union is too dependent on gas imports; to solve the problem, the number of its suppliers should be increased.
Permanent Representative of Russia to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said that Russia is fulfilling its treaty obligations and has nothing to do with the energy crisis in the European Union.