Europe refuses to pay for Russian gas in rubles. In recent days, the head of the Kremlin demanded that European countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia pay for Russian gas in rubles. In this way, Moscow is trying to strengthen the exchange rate of the ruble, which is falling against the background of the war.
“We will not pay in rubles, we are united in this matter with other EU countries,” said Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tener.
Yesterday, the issue was also discussed with Putin by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Germany and Austria have launched an “early warning mechanism” due to the possibility of interruptions or complete cessation of Russian gas supplies.
Official Berlin does not rule out that Germany may face interruptions in Russian gas supplies in the near future, called on consumers and companies to reduce gas consumption, and the Austrian authorities intend to strengthen control over the gas market.
“France is against the ruble calculations,” said President Emanuel Macron, claiming that the Russian official’s demand violates the agreement.
The G7 member states are not going to back down from Putin’s demand, as they have issued a joint statement, emphasizing that “this is a one-sided, obvious violation of the treaties.”
“Deliveries must be made in euros or dollars,” said Eric Mammer, spokesman for the European Commission.
Eastern European countries also opposed it. “I do not think anyone in Europe knows what the ruble looks like,” said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janանշa.
About a week ago, Vladimir Putin announced that “unfriendly countries” should pay for Russian gas in rubles. Moscow has included about fifty countries in the list, mainly Western countries, which have imposed sanctions on Russia.
According to Putin’s instructions, today the Russian government and the Central Bank must submit a report on how they will carry out those calculations and how the Europeans can buy rubles.
Despite the previous announcements, Moscow will not demand payments in rubles for gas supplied to Europe from March 31. This was announced yesterday by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who in response to harsh statements from Europe in recent days, insisted that the Russian side does not intend to supply gas for free. The Kremlin spokesman clarified yesterday that the payments in rubles are a technologically protracted process, it is not that the gas supplied tomorrow should be sold in rubles.
About 40% of the total volume of natural gas imported to the European Union is Russian blue fuel.