Putin Says Russia Can Redirect Energy Exports Away from the West

Russia can easily redirect exports of its vast energy resources away from the West to countries that really need them while increasing domestic consumption of oil, gas and coal, President Vladimir Putin said on April 13.

The U.S., Canada, Britain and Australia have imposed bans on Russian oil imports in response to what Moscow calls a special military operation in Ukraine, while the EU remains divided on the issue.

“When it comes to Russian oil, gas and coal, we will be able to increase their consumption on the domestic market, stimulate the deep processing of raw materials,” Putin said at a televised meeting with officials to discuss the development of the Russian Arctic.