Putin: Russia will supply more gas if Europe asks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was ready to provide more gas to Europe if requested, rejecting accusations that Moscow squeezes supplies for political motives.

“If they ask us to increase further, we are ready to increase further. We will increase by as much as our partners ask us. There is no refusal, none,” Putin told an energy conference in Moscow.

European gas prices have hit record levels this month, but the Kremlin has repeatedly denied that Russia is withholding supplies in order to exert pressure for quick regulatory approval of the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea to Germany.

Putin described as “complete nonsense” the accusation that Moscow was using energy as a political weapon.

Putin’s comments held out the possibility that Moscow might be willing to go further to help ease the price squeeze in Europe.