By The South Asia Times

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he may order the government to consider stopping energy deliveries to Europe and redirecting supplies to Asian markets, a move that could deepen the continent’s ongoing energy challenges.

In an interview with Russian state broadcaster VGTRK in Moscow, Putin said European countries are already planning to phase out Russian energy imports, including restrictions on natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases in the coming months and a potential full ban by 2027, according to Anadolu.

He suggested Russia might respond by accelerating a shift toward alternative markets.

“New markets are opening up, particularly in Asia, and it may be more beneficial for us to focus on those opportunities rather than continue supplies to Europe,” Putin said, adding that he would instruct the Russian government and energy companies to examine the proposal.

The Russian leader insisted that his comments were not politically motivated, describing them as a practical consideration of market conditions.

Putin maintained that Russia has historically been a reliable supplier of energy to its partners, including European nations, but said Moscow will prioritize cooperation with countries that remain dependable trading partners. He pointed to countries in Eastern Europe such as Slovakia and Hungary as examples of states maintaining energy ties with Russia.

He also blamed Europe’s current energy difficulties on what he described as policy missteps by the European Union, including sanctions against Russia and an aggressive transition toward green energy.

Putin further warned that geopolitical tensions are already pushing global energy prices higher, citing instability in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The Russian president also condemned a recent attack on a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta, which Russian authorities attributed to Ukrainian unmanned vessels.

He accused Kyiv of undermining European interests by targeting energy infrastructure and warned of alleged threats against pipelines such as Blue Stream and TurkStream.

Analysts say any decision by Moscow to halt energy exports to Europe would likely intensify economic pressure on the region, which remains vulnerable to supply disruptions and volatile energy prices despite efforts to diversify energy sources since the start of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.