Putin reassures Europe over gas supplies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken out against sanctions on North Korea and Iran, calling for more diplomatic efforts in the stand-offs over their nuclear programs and reassuring Europe that Russia was a reliable gas supplier.

In a live internet conference yesterday on the BBC websites – part of a charm offensive before the summit of the Group of Eight major industrialised nations that he is hosting in just over a week – Putin also described the US as a key Russian partner and its president as a friend, but warned against US world dominance.