Putin says Russia should cut reliance on foreign equipment in energy sector

ASTRAKHAN, Russia, June 4 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia should reduce its reliance on foreign equipment in the energy sector, part of an effort to improve the nation's self-sufficiency at a time when it faces Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

At a meting on energy strategy in the southern city of Astrakhan, Putin also said the government should consider a recapitalisation of Gazprom following the signing of a $400 billion gas deal with China which will require multi-billion-dollar investments in infrastructure.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Steve Gutterman)