GERMANY, FRANCE REJECT PUTIN’S DEMANDS TO PAY FOR GAS IN ROUBLES AS ‘BLACKMAIL’

Thu 31 March 2022:

Germany and France rejected Vladimir Putin’s demand that foreign purchasers of Russian gas pay in roubles as an unacceptable breach of contract, adding that the manoeuver amounted to “blackmail”.

Germany Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Germany was prepared for all scenarios, including a stoppage of Russian gas flows to Europe. “It is important for us not to give a signal that we will be blackmailed by Putin.”

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that both nations rejected Russia’s demand and were “preparing” for the possibility that Russia would halt deliveries.

Russia on Thursday also said it had barred the European Union’s top leadership from entering the country in response to what it described as anti-Russian policies.

Putin says foreign buyers of Russian gas must now pay in roubles

Earlier on Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “unfriendly” countries – including all EU members – will need to set up rouble accounts to pay for gas deliveries starting April 1.

“They must open ruble accounts in Russian banks. It is from these accounts that payments will be made for gas delivered starting tomorrow, April 1,” Putin said in televised remarks, adding that missing payments will lead to “existing contracts being stopped”.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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