Putin: Russia is better off without European money for gas

Putin: the less Russia depends on energy exports to Europe, the better

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that when Russia exported gas to Europe, “they received more money, maybe it was more fun,” but now the situation for the country is better.

“The less we depend on energy, the better,” Putin said in an interview with Pavel Zarubin.

According to him, now the “non-energy part of the economy” of the country is growing faster. He added that “when you just receive money, then dependence arises,” and in situations “when you need to think, then other mechanisms come into play.”