Putin says Russia can aid in stabilizing global energy markets

Russia is ready to help stabilize global energy markets and could export record volumes of natural gas to Europe this year, said President Vladimir Putin.

He spoke as the continent’s gas and power prices were breaking fresh records, with the impact rippling through equity and bond markets while the European Union sounded the alarm. Lower-than-anticipated supplies from Russia, the region’s largest supplier, have been a major cause of the crisis, according to some European officials.

Exports from Gazprom PJSC to Europe in the first nine months of the year were close to all-time highs, according to the company. If that pace is sustained for the rest of 2021, it would be a record year, Putin said at an energy meeting on Wednesday.