Putin: "No Disruption in Russia's Gas Supply to International Markets"

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there will be no disruption to Russia's gas supply in the international market amid the Ukraine crisis.

According to Interfax news agency on the 22nd (local time), President Putin said in a welcoming speech at the 'Gas Exporting Countries Forum' held in Doha, Qatar, "Russia will continue to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to the international market," and "will modernize supply infrastructure and expand investment in the gas sector."

President Putin asserted, "Energy transportation must not be transformed into a means for some (market) participants to secure political and economic interests," and "sanctions or other restrictive measures must not be involved in this."

On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged Western countries to immediately sanction Russia for recognizing the independence of separatist republics in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. He emphasized, "Our position is clear: sanctions must be imposed on Russia," adding, "The time has come."

He also mentioned that in phone calls with the U.S. Secretary of State, Canadian and British foreign ministers, and the European Union (EU) foreign policy leaders, the focus was on sanctions against Russia, adding that the timing of the sanctions is crucial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.