G7 countries refuse to buy gas in Russian rubles. Moscow insists
European and Asian countries refuse to comply with Putin’s demand to pay for gas in the Russian currency
Germany said the Russian ultimatum violated all contracts
Japan urged companies not to pay Russia in rubles
Russia has announced that it will not supply free gas to Europe
The countries of the G7 rejected Putin’s demand to pay for gas in rubles. According to German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, members of the union agreed that the requirement to pay in rubles was a “unilateral and clear” violation of existing gas contracts.
Habek added that “the largest democratic industrial countries” do not agree to the Russian proposal and “urged global companies not to comply with the requirements of the Russian president.”
In response to a question about what Germany would do if gas supplies from Russia were cut off, the Vice Chancellor replied: “We are ready for any scenario. Putin’s demand means that he is backed up against the wall. He needs rubles to pay for the war, at least to pay the soldiers.”
At the same time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the country will make efforts this year to reduce dependence on energy imports from Russia. This will be accomplished by reducing reliance on Russian oil and coal throughout the course of the year. Scholz is certain that Russia’s energy imports will be reduced.
In response to statements by European officials, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that the country would not supply gas to Europe for free: “I don’t know what will happen when they reject this opportunity. As soon as we know about the final decision, we will explore what can be done. However, we definitely do not intend to engage in charity in this regard, to send gas to Western Europe free of charge. No payment – no gas.
Europe depends on Russia for about 40% of its natural gas, the majority transported by pipeline.
The Japanese authorities also requested that corporations are not obligated to pay Russia in rubles, especially for natural gas. Earlier, the finance minister said that the Japanese authorities “do not understand” how to pay Russia in rubles for gas.
