Kremlin Says Europe Cannot Overcome Energy Crisis Without Russia

Kremlin economic representative Kirill Dmitriyev said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Europe needs Russian oil and gas to address an energy crisis driven by instability in the Middle East. Dmitriyev described energy supplies from Moscow as essential to Europe's administrative and development security. Despite broad Western sanctions imposed since the Ukraine conflict began, several European countries have continued importing Russian natural gas. European Union imports of Russian liquefied natural gas reached their highest level since 2022 in the first quarter of 2026, data showed. Russia remains the EU's second-largest gas supplier. President Vladimir Putin separately stated that Russia stands ready to continue supplying oil and gas to the continent if Brussels commits to long-term, stable cooperation.