Putin: Pay in rubles or we will end gas contracts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that from tomorrow countries that buy gas from Russia must pay in rubles or their contracts will not be respected.
In a televised statement on Thursday, Putin announced that he had signed a decree to this effect, adding that the change in the ruble was created to “strengthen sovereignty” and protect Russian jobs.
He said: “To buy Russian natural gas, they have to open accounts in rubles in Russian banks.”
“Exactly from these accounts the payment will be made for the gas delivered from tomorrow”
“If no such payments are made, we will consider this as a non-payment by the buyers, with all the consequences.”
“No one gives us anything for free, and we will not do ‘charity’ – thats how it is, existing contracts will be terminated.”
“Existing contracts will be respected, however, provided customers follow the new rules,” he added.
Russia supplies about a third of Europe’s gas, and the new restrictions are likely to be of concern to Germany and Poland, in particular, as major buyers.