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The president of the Russian Federation appeared at the Eastern Economic Forum and said that the European Union would be “foolish” if it put a cap on the cost of oil and gas, stating that it would not supply fuel against Russia’s own interests. The president assured that the country is economically stable and that some companies “rushed” to leave. Putin mentioned the situation of the Nord Stream 1 and 2, the plant in Zaporizhia and the export of grain.
This Wednesday, September 7, Vladimir Putin spoke within the framework of the VI Eastern Economic Forum that is taking place in Vladivostok. There he made an emphasis on criticizing the attitudes that the West has had against Russia since the war broke out in Ukraine.
The Russian head of state described the European Union’s proposal on limiting the price of Russian gas as “nonsense” and a “dead-end initiative” that would generate an increase in the cost.
In addition, the president warned that, although they are willing to fulfill their contracts, they will cut off the shipment of gas, oil and coal if the community club establishes a cap on the price of the products.
“There are commitments established in the supply contracts and if some kind of political measure is taken that contradicts them, we will simply not comply with them,” he said.
“We will supply absolutely nothing if this contradicts our interests,” he stressed.
Putin blamed European countries for generating an energy crisis for themselves and raising the cost of living for their inhabitants.
“They themselves have created the problem and now they don’t know what to do,” he said, adding that before they had a “competitive advantage” with shipments from Russia over those from the United States, the latter being less profitable.
For example, he presented the example of Germany and its controversies with the channels of Nord Stream 1, which has reduced its broadcast due to alleged technical problems, and 2, which was never enabled by decision of Berlin.
“The Nord Stream has a leak, it is a potential fire. It’s practically closed now and everyone says that Russia uses this as a weapon. It is nonsense and nonsense,” she emphasized. “Give us a turbine and we’ll turn on Nord Stream 1 tomorrow,” she added.
In addition, on Nord Stream 2, Putin stated that it does not work due to a decision by Germany, “pressured by the United States” and that, if they wish, they are ready to activate it “tomorrow, all you have to do is press a button ”.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Moscow will have no problem finding clients who are interested in its hydrocarbons thanks to the “very high demand” in world markets, such as China.
Russia, victim of “economic and financial aggression from the West”
Vladimir Putin also referred to the economic framework that the country is experiencing after “the sanctioning fever” promoted by the United States and the European Union. However, the president described the positive version of the picture despite the economic siege he suffered since he decided to invade the Ukrainian territory.
Despite the fact that “Russia is facing economic, financial and technological aggression from the West”, the head of state listed that “the financial and currency markets have stabilized”, inflation is going down and the unemployment rate is ” at an all-time low.”
The concerns mostly go through the industries and the productive regions that were dedicated to inputs that were exported to Europe.
“The outlook is much more optimistic than at the beginning of spring,” he said, expressing that the foreign companies that left were “hurried.”
“They believed that our country would suffer, but we are seeing how production and jobs in Europe close one after another. One of the reasons is the breaking of commercial ties with Russia,” she emphasized.
The war in Ukraine, Zaporizhia and the export of grain
Putin also gave his opinion regarding the military operation that Moscow maintains on Ukrainian soil, with the focus on the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made a visit to assess the conditions.
The president rejected the version that there is military equipment in the complex and denied the risk that it could get out of control.
However, he praised the IAEA and its director, Rafael Grossi.
“It is a very responsible international organization and the leader is a very professional person,” he said. However, he stressed that they are under pressure from the countries in which they operate, such as the United States and European nations.
Regarding the export of cereals, he announced that he will speak with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to monitor the destinations of ships leaving Ukrainian ports, because “the poorest countries” do not have access to food.
“Only 2 of 87 ships go to developing nations,” he said.
In addition, Putin highlighted Ankara’s role in supplying grains worldwide to help prevent an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” from occurring and accused the West of “deceiving once again” the most needy countries.
With EFE and Reuters
