US opposed to South Stream because of interest in supplying gas to Europe - Putin
The US is trying to disrupt Russia's gas pipeline project, South Stream, because it wants to supply gas to Europe itself. "We are in talks with our partners over contracts, not with third countries. That our US friends are unhappy about South Stream, well, they were unhappy in 1962 too, when the gas-for-pipe project with Germany began. Now they are unhappy again, nothing has changed, except the fact that they want to supply to the European market themselves," Putin stated.
"I can reassure you, it will not be cheaper than Russia's: piped gas is always cheaper than liquefied," the Russian president said.
On this issue, the US acts as Russia's rival, Putin said.
"This is a normal situation. They do everything to disrupt this contract. There is nothing unusual here. This is a normal competition. A competition which uses political methods among others," he said.
