Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin insists Russia has “never refused to develop” relations with Europe. The comments come as Russia tries to tempt Europe to resume purchasing its sanctioned oil and gas amid the Mideast war, with Hungary and Slovakia recently receiving sanctions exemptions for Russian oil. Speaking at a virtual Security Council meeting, Putin repeats his frequent comments blaming the West for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and insists that all subsequent diplomatic crises are “not our fault”.
