[Putin Says Considering Proactively Cutting Off Gas Supply to Europe] According to a report by Jinse Finance, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with Russian media on March 4 that the current rise in oil and natural gas prices is indeed happening, caused by restrictions on Russian energy, combined with factors such as U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran. Meanwhile, the European Union is planning to completely ban the import of pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas from Russia. Putin said that since the EU will eventually ban the import of Russian gas sooner or later, Russia might as well proactively 'cut off gas' to Europe, stop supplying the European market, and shift to emerging markets. (CCTV International News)