Putin: Sell Your Necklace to me for 1 Ruble and I'll Sell You Gas for a Dime

Yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin was answering questions, which were sent by ordinary people in live program on BBC channel. Putin gave answers on 30 questions.

One of those questions from a Londoner was about whether Russia's going to stop gas supply to Europe some day. Putin, in his turn, asked the interviewer, how much her necklace cost. Getting the answer "Several hundred pounds", he asked, "So if I ask you to sell it to me for 1 ruble, will you agree?", hinting that all the troubles related to Russia's gus supply to Europe are concerned with inconsistency between gas' cost price and the sum which the customers are ready to pay for gas.

When asked by his BBC interviewer whether Russia regretted its dispute with Ukraine over natural gas prices, which let to disruptions in supplies in some European countries, Putin said that Ukraine is the only to blame, which was resisting a fourfold price increase.

Putin also said that ?Europeans have nothing to worry about? because the new gas deal obliges Ukraine to transport Russia gas to Europe regardless of its dealings with Russia.