Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly, yesterday told European Union countries not to block its international ambitions, warning that it could redirect supplies to other markets.

In a statement after a meeting between Alexei Miller, Gazprom's chief executive, and EU ambassadors, the company said: "Attempts to limit Gazprom's activities in the European market and politicise questions of gas supply, which in fact are of an entirely economic nature, will not lead to good results."