Putin turning gas eastward instead of Europe

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow would work to redirect its energy exports eastward, as talks about banning Russia’s oil increases in Europe.

Russia supplies around 40 percent of the bloc’s natural gas, which he said would make it difficult for European nations to stop relying on Russian gas immediately.

"The so-called partners from unfriendly countries concede themselves that they won't be able to make do without Russian energy resources, including without natural gas, for example," the Russian president told a televised government meeting on Thursday.

“There is no rational replacement (for Russian gas) in Europe now,” he said.

He explained further that Europe is the reason while prices are increasing, as they continue to discuss embargoes on Russia’s energy.

The Russian president asked for a plan by 1st of June to expand transport infrastructure to countries in Africa, Latin America and the Asia Pacific regions.