OREANDA-NEWS   Russia is one of the leading gas exporters to world markets - its gas accounts for about 15% of global trade, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"Russia is one of the leading gas exporters to world markets - approximately 15% of global trade today is provided by Russian gas," Novak said on the sidelines of the plenary session of the eighth GECF summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier on Tuesday that the role of natural gas as a pillar of global energy in international trade will only strengthen. He noted that about half of the world's gas trade already accounts for liquefied natural gas.