🎙 Remarks by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the Plenary Session of the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (Moscow, October 27, 2026) Key points: • When it was established 25 years ago, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (#GECF) was conceived as a platform for expert analysis, sharing experience, and assessing and forecasting developments in the gas market. This is precisely how our dialogue has evolved – without any backroom intrigue or attempts to manipulate the market. • GECF countries account for 70% of the world’s natural gas reserves and around 40% of global gas exports. Our countries thus make a significant contribution to global energy security and the balanced development of countries and macroregions. • Today, gas accounts for a quarter of the global energy mix. In 2025, consumption rose by 1.2% to 4.2 trillion cubic metres. These trends are expected to continue. The role of natural gas as a mainstay of global energy, industry, agriculture and international trade will only grow. • Russia is a key player in the global gas market. We rank first in the world in natural gas reserves and second in production. We have built a unique production complex that enables us to diversify gas supplies and develop gas processing and gas-based chemical production. • The situation in the Middle East has deteriorated. Russian gas pipelines to Europe have been subjected to outright terrorist attacks – they were blown up. Some countries have also imposed barriers to purchasing equipment and technology for the sector. As a result, the global gas industry faces uncertainty. ❗️ Any attempts to exclude Russia from the global gas market or hold back the development of our gas industry have serious consequences, above all in the form of rising, exorbitant costs for end users abroad – companies, industrial enterprises and households. • Europe is undermining its own industry and social sector by rejecting Russian energy supplies and terminating long-term contracts. There is a Russian saying: “Do not dig a pit for someone else, or you may fall into it yourself”. In my view, this is precisely what has happened in EU countries. • To address the challenges facing the global gas industry, we must strengthen cooperation, rather than erect barriers, particularly among gas-exporting countries. We must build on our own capabilities and sovereign technologies, developing open, trust-based cooperation founded on mutual benefit and respect for each other’s interests. • GECF, its members and observers have the resources and capabilities to tackle the most complex challenges in the gas industry and across the global energy sector. For its part, Russia stands ready to make a substantial contribution to this work. Read in full