DID Press: Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Western sanctions at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, saying the measures have undermined Europe’s industrial competitiveness and led to declining output in Germany, the EU’s economic engine.
Putin said that despite economic pressure, Russia still supplies around 20% of the world’s energy demand and remains focused on expanding its domestic gas and nuclear power sectors.
He noted that the impact of sanctions is visible in Europe’s reduced competitiveness and shifting global supply chains toward Asia and Latin America. Putin added that Russia’s lower oil output stems from its OPEC+ commitments, not from sanctions.
The Russian president announced that more than 100,000 kilometers of new gas pipelines have been built nationwide, bringing gas access close to 75% of households. He also described coal as a continuing component of the global energy mix and projected that electricity demand in developing countries will reach 85% of total energy use within 25 years.
Calling nuclear energy “a responsible pillar of the global energy structure,” Putin said Russia is the only country producing small-scale nuclear plants and plans to add 29 gigawatts of new capacity in the next 15 years.
He also briefly addressed the Gaza crisis, expressing hope that Israel and Hamas would uphold agreements and maintain a lasting ceasefire.