Russian President said that Moscow will work to re-direct its energy eastward as European countries try to reduce reliance on Russian exports, adding that Europe will not be able to completely shun Russian gas immediately.

“What’s astonishing is that the so-called partners from unfriendly countries concede themselves that they won’t be able to make do without Russian energy resources, including without natural gas, for example. There is no rational replacement [for gas] in Europe now”, - Vladimir Putin told a televised government meeting.

He also said that Europe, by talking about cutting off energy supplies from Russia, was driving up prices and destabilizing the market.

“Unfriendly countries admit that they cannot do without Russian energy resources”, - Putin added.