When asked whether the commencement of the final phase of the Nord Stream gas pipeline is more feasible in the context of the energy situation in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there is no sign that Europeans have changed their position.
You and I both see that there are no signs of a change in European stance, although, as the President said yesterday, Europeans are starting to think about whether to postpone the deadline for import bans on liquefied gas from Russia or not. Such discussions by experts have been clearly heard" - he said.
In September 2022, unprecedented damage was recorded on 3 branches of Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2.
Previously, on March 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia may begin withdrawing from the European market sooner than expected because the EU's intention is to completely reject Russian gas.
The plan is to impose restrictions on Russia's gas purchases, including liquefied natural gas, within a month, and within 1 year, in 2027, there will be further restrictions, until it is completely banned," Putin said, referring to the EU's position.
The Russian leader pointed out: "Other markets have now opened up. Would it be more beneficial for us to stop supplying to the European market now? Switching to the markets that are opening up and strengthening our position there?".
President Putin will direct the government to consider the issue of redirecting the gas industry from supplying to Europe to more attractive markets. "I will definitely direct the government and our companies to study this issue," Putin said.
On the same day, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will only work with reliable partners such as Slovakia and Hungary when providing energy resources. Mr. Putin emphasized that Russia has always been and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources. "And we will work exactly according to that mechanism with our reliable partners. For example in Eastern Europe - like Slovakia, like Hungary," - he said.
In another development related to Russian energy, on March 5, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that the Russian government plans to soon discuss the possibility of stopping gas exports to Europe.
We will meet soon, as directed by the President, to discuss the current situation with energy companies and feasible transportation routes for our energy supply," he said.
Mr. Novak said that Russian gas accounts for more than 12% of the EU's supply. "With the current gas shortage in the global energy balance, this is a fairly large volume," he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that Russia continues to cooperate with Asian partners on energy supplies.
According to calculations by TASS, in 2025, Russia ranked second after the US in terms of the value of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported to the EU, accounting for 16.1% (equivalent to 16.2% of the total value of LNG and pipeline gas that the EU purchases), and accounting for 14% in supply volume (equivalent to 12.1% of the EU's total gas supply).
