Putin warns EU over pipeline monopoly

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the European Union today that it would have to give Russia the chance to buy into gas distribution networks in Europe if it wanted Moscow to give up its monopoly on gas export pipelines.

Putin’s comments came at the end of a one-day summit between Russia and the European Union in this Black Sea resort clouded by EU concerns about Russia’s reliability as a key energy supplier and Moscow’s persistent bid for European retail gas assets.