China News Agency, Moscow, April 14 (Tian Bing and Zhang Yuchen) Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a work conference on Russia's oil and gas industry situation on the 14th that in terms of Russia's energy export payments, countries "unfriendly" to Russia are delaying transfer payments.

He emphasized that under the background of Western sanctions, Russia's energy sector faces three major strategic challenges.

　　According to the Kremlin website, Putin attended the meeting by video.

He said that one of the most serious problems for the Russian energy industry caused by Western sanctions is the supply side of exports.

Measures should be taken to simplify the transport chain and overcome difficulties caused by increased transport costs.

　　Putin pointed out that there is currently a problem with Russia's energy export payments, and banks in "unfriendly" countries are delaying transfer payments.

He said that on the issue of energy export, it is Russia's determined task to change the settlement currency from foreign currency to domestic currency, increase the share of domestic currency settlement, and gradually get rid of the US dollar and the euro.

"We intend to fundamentally increase the share of settlement in national currency in the foreign trade system." The key task now is to prepare the Russian foreign exchange market for such a transition.

He emphasized that from the perspective of financial and economic security, rejecting "unreliable and discredited foreign currencies" and "the rulings of other countries" is Russia's strategic task.

At the same time, in order to maintain and improve foreign trade, it is also crucial to establish stable relationships with reliable partners.

　　Putin signed a presidential decree on March 31, and the new rules for paying Russian gas in rubles from countries "unfriendly" to Russia came into effect on April 1.

Buyers from "unfriendly countries" to Russia should first open a ruble account in a Russian bank, and then pay for Russian gas through this account.

Putin said that Russia will not accept various risks when using US dollars and euros for natural gas transactions, and the settlement of natural gas transactions in rubles is an important step to stabilize Russia's financial and economic sovereignty.

　　Putin said that Western countries' attempts to crowd out Russian energy suppliers and seek alternative energy supplies will inevitably affect the entire world economy, first and foremost the West itself.

The rhetoric of European countries embargoing Russian energy will only destabilize the market and raise the price of domestic energy.

He also pointed out that Western countries' announcement to abandon Gazprom and look for high-carbon alternatives is a clear departure from their so-called green agenda.

　　Putin stressed that in the context of Western sanctions, Russia must be guided by its own interests.

The Russian energy sector faces three strategic challenges.

One is to ensure stable energy supply in the domestic market.

With foreign markets shrinking, it is important to increase supply to domestic consumers.

To stimulate domestic demand, it is necessary to achieve price reductions where possible.

The second is to diversify exports.

From the foreseeable future, Russia's energy supply to the West will be reduced.

Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the direction of energy exports and gradually reposition Russia's energy exports to the fast-growing southern and eastern markets.

For this, it is necessary to identify relevant critical infrastructure projects and start construction.

The third is to develop deep processing of oil and gas.

Russia has made significant progress in this area.

Additional investment should be made in this field to speed up the implementation of large-scale projects and the commissioning of modern enterprises.

　　This is Putin's public remarks on the energy issue after yesterday.

Putin said at the Russian Arctic Regional Development Conference on the 13th that some Western countries refused to carry out normal cooperation with Russia, including Russia's energy resources, which has hit millions of Europeans deeply and caused an energy crisis.

Russia will stimulate domestic energy market consumption, promote deep processing of raw materials, and increase energy supply to the rest of the world.

　　Regarding the impact of Western sanctions on Russia, Putin also said on the 13th that the West's economic "blitzkrieg" against Russia was unsuccessful.

Russia's economic and financial system stands firm, and the industrial and energy industries are developing rapidly.

He stressed that the West's attempt to isolate Russia will not succeed.

　　Russian Prime Minister Mishustin said in a government work report in the State Duma (lower house of parliament) on the 7th that Russia is currently in "the most difficult period in the past 30 years."

The scale of the new round of sanctions imposed by the West on Russia this year is unprecedented. At present, there have been more than 6,000 sanctions against Russia, more than any country targeted at any time in the number of sanctions.

He stressed that for Russia, the current situation is "complex but manageable."

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