Kremlin criticizes EU decision to reject Russian gas

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov has criticized the European Union for its decision to move away from Russian natural gas, labeling the strategy as lacking foresight. In an interview with Izvestia, Peskov argued that abandoning low-cost Russian energy resources undermines European industrial competitiveness and economic prosperity.

Peskov specifically questioned the EU's plans to keep the Nord Stream pipelines inoperable, even if a peace agreement for Ukraine is reached. He suggested that European governments are harming their own interests by severing commercial ties that previously supported their economic models, stating that they are “cutting the branch they are sitting on.”

The remarks come amid rising energy concerns in Europe, where natural gas prices have seen significant increases. Recent financial reports indicate that gas futures have risen by more than 150 percent so far this year, with reference contracts reaching levels not seen since 2022.