Putin escalates gas tension, threatens to close pipeline to Europe
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian government to explore the possibility of stopping gas supplies to Europe immediately, according to Russian media.
Putin suggested that it might be more convenient for Russia to halt deliveries now rather than wait until 2027, when the European Union plans to phase out Russian gas completely.
Putin instructs government to consider halting gas exports to Europe pic.twitter.com/FbOO4OvJmk
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) March 4, 2026
"Maybe it’s more profitable for us to stop supplying the European market right now? Enter markets that are opening up and secure our position there? There’s no political motive here. If they impose restrictions in a month or two anyway, wouldn’t it be better to stop ourselves now?" Putin said.
He added that he intends to instruct the Russian government to work on this issue with the country’s energy companies.
EU's phase-out of Russian gas
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, energy dependence on Moscow has been a key challenge for the EU, prompting the gradual displacement of Russian energy resources from the European market.
In December 2025, representatives of the European Council and European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement to fully end imports of Russian natural gas by 2027. On December 17, the European Parliament approved the EU’s plan to phase out gas purchases from Russia by the end of 2027.
Brussels has also stated that it does not intend to return to Russian energy even after the war ends.
At the end of January, the Council of the European Union formally approved a complete ban on Russian liquefied natural gas to EU countries from January 1, 2027, and on pipeline gas from September 30, 2027.
Meanwhile, the United States has announced it is ready to quickly replace all Russian gas and oil supplied to Europe with its own energy resources if needed.
Additionally, Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland believes that the war in Iran could affect EU energy stability and intensify discussions about a full ban on Russian gas imports.
