The Kremlin said on Friday (March 20) that the European Union was harming its own interests by sticking to a plan to end imports of Russian liquefied natural gas by the end of the year, and Russia would switch to new markets for its LNG and other energy exports, Reuters reports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier that the bloc was committed to its "clear targets" on halting Russian LNG imports, rejecting the idea it might revise them because of rising energy costs due to the war in the Middle East.
Asked about her remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia could find alternative buyers.
"Russia must and will do what best serves its interests and advantage. And if it is recognized that alternative markets, new growing markets that very much need energy resources - gas, LNG, oil and petroleum products - if these markets are more attractive, then, of course, there will be a complete focus on these markets," he said.
"The Europeans continue to shoot themselves in the foot, or rather, shoot their voters in the foot."
Before the Ukraine war, Europe was buying more than 40% of its gas from Russia, but combined sales of pipeline gas and LNG from Russia accounted for only 13% of total EU imports in 2025.
The EU plans to stop Russian LNG imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas imports by September 30, 2027.
But President Vladimir Putin suggested earlier this month that Russia might pre-empt that by cutting those exports off now.
