MOSCOW- Russia does not see the gas crisis in Europe stabilising in the short term, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, adding that Russia expects demand for gas in the Asia-Pacific region to rise 7-8% this year.

Novak, speaking at a government meeting with President Vladimir Putin, said Russia also saw risks of rising prices of agricultural products.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Alexander Marrow Editing by Katya Golubkova) ((alexander.marrow@thomsonreuters.com;))