Putin Comments on Gas Reform

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gazprom is a company that promotes the country's economic growth. "We know very well that gas is sold for households and industrial consumers at prices lower than its production costs, however we provide growth of other industries at the cost of Gazprom. That is why if we introduce free market gas prices, gas will cost $110 per 1,000 cubic meters for domestic consumers and this is impossible," Putin noted. However, it does not mean that the holding should not be reformed.

The head of state also mentioned that it was necessary to provide equal access to pipelines for all gas producers, however, it did not mean that they would get free access to external markets.