Putin says 'impossible' to isolate Russia, vowing to cut gas and oil supplies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was "impossible" to isolate Moscow and vowed to cut gas and oil deliveries to countries imposing a price cap on supplies.

Speaking at an economic forum, over six months after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, the Russian leader sought to pivot towards allies in Asia, the Middle East and Africa as his country faces a barrage of Western sanctions.

"No matter how much someone would like to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do this," Putin told the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok.

He said the coronavirus pandemic has been replaced by other global challenges "threatening the whole world", including "sanctions fever in the West".

Putin has repeatedly said that Russia's economy is weathering the barrage of sanctions well, as the Kremlin's ties with the West sink to new lows.

He vowed to cut off any countries imposing price caps on oil and gas exports, just as the EU proposed to do just that.

Capping prices "would be an absolutely stupid decision", Putin said.

"We will not supply anything at all if it is contrary to our interests, in this case economic (interests)," he said.

"No gas, no oil, no coal, no fuel oil, nothing."

Europe, which is heavily dependent on Russian supplies, has accused Moscow of using energy as a weapon and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen proposed that member states agree to a price cap.