CHELYABINSK, December 5. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes statements that Russian gas buyers abroad fall into dependence on Russia are absurd.

"There is an absolutely groundless idea that buyers of our gas fall into dependence on Russia," Putin said on Monday. "This is an absolute foolish and worthless argument because this dependence is mutual," he added.

"We are capable of providing ourselves and even growing needs of the Russian economy and our contracting partners," the head of state said.

Nord Stream 2

Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will be implemented, he stressed. 

"Despite the fact that complications arise because Poland did not give an appropriate authorization, all participants remain in the project - German and Austrian firms in the first instance," the head of state said. "Everybody wants to work. I do not have major doubts that this project will be implemented," Putin said.

Gazprom is currently delivering all-time high volumes of gas to Europe, the head of state said. "We are capable of providing ourselves and even growing needs of the Russian economy and our contracting partners," he added. "In particular, and this is not declared publicly, Gazprom is delivering as much gas to Europe as neither Russia nor the Soviet Union has ever supplied before," Putin said.

The President also slammed alleged dependence of Russian gas buyers on Moscow. "There is an absolutely groundless idea that buyers of our gas fall into dependence on Russia," Putin said. "This is an absolute foolish and worthless argument because such dependence is mutual," he added.

"If our buyer falls into dependence on the seller, then we also become depending on the buyer," Putin said. All participants in this market should bear equal shares of responsibility, he added.

Certain transit nations object to Nord Stream 2 project because they are losing benefits of the transit fee, the President said. "However, the transit fee eventually is borne by the buyer and is in the final price," Putin added.