ASTRAKHAN, Russia, June 4 (Reuters) - President VladimirPutin said on Wednesday that Russia should reduce its relianceon foreign equipment in the energy sector, part of an effort toimprove the nation's self-sufficiency at a time when it facesWestern sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.
At a meting on energy strategy in the southern city ofAstrakhan, Putin also said the government should consider arecapitalisation of Gazprom following the signing of a$400 billion gas deal with China which will requiremulti-billion-dollar investments in infrastructure. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Katya Golubkova;Editing by Steve Gutterman)
