Nobody wants to give up energy cooperation with Russia – Putin

(Interfax – Archangelsk, June 9, 2014) Other countries benefit from cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes.

“Nobody is going to give up energy cooperation (with Russia – Interfax) voluntarily,” Putin said at a meeting with students in Arkhangelsk.

Speaking about this, the head of state pointed out in particular that there was simply colossal interest in Russian reserves in the Arctic. “It is global. One can say without exaggeration that mankind will simply have to turn to these world reserves, and therefore we are going to work together. We are not pushing anyone away and we are actively cooperating,” Putin said.

He stressed that the energy market was very open.

Furthermore, when asked by one student whether international cooperation at student level was going to continue in view of the ambiguous international situation, Putin replied: “The situation is difficult, as it always is. When is it calm? When humanitarian aid is sent to us. As soon as Russia becomes stronger, the situation becomes more difficult for some reason.”

“And we will always cooperate, and others will cooperate with us, and actively too, I have no doubt at all about this,” the Russian president added.