Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to shut off gas to large countries like the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany.

Axar.az reports the statement came from European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans.

"Because in this case, he will hurt himself more," he said.

According to Timmermans, Putin is now putting pressure on small buyers:

"He would prefer to keep the big players on his side because that's his only source of income."

Timmermans added that Europe is finally looking for other gas suppliers to become completely independent of Russian gas:

"Russia has recently stopped supplying gas to Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland because they refused to pay in rubles."