Putin Denies Russian Involvement in Damage to Finnish Gas Link
- Russian leader says he didn’t know ‘very small’ link existed
- Rupture in pipeline drove European gas prices higher this week
Vladimir Putin.
Photographer: Mikhail Metzel/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
President Vladimir Putin denied that Russia was involved in the rupture of a gas link between Finland and Estonia, in his first comments on an incident that has rattled the European energy market.
“It’s total nonsense,” Putin said, when asked about allegations that Russia may be behind the leak. “Anything could cause it,” the Russian leader said at the briefing that concluded his visit to Kyrgyzstan. An earthquake or damage from a ship anchor could well be the cause, he suggested.