Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently demanded that buyers of natural gas be paid in rubles. He had threatened that any buyer who does not pay in rubles, his gas supply will be stopped. Now according to the report, 4 countries in Europe have accepted Putin’s condition. These countries are buying gas in Russia’s currency ruble only. However, the names of these four countries have not been given.
According to the news agency Reuters report, according to a source from Russian gas giant Gazprom PJSC, four European gas buyers have already paid for the supply in rubles. President Vladimir Putin made such a demand. “Even though other buyers reject the Kremlin’s terms, some countries are bowing to Putin,” the source said on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, Russia stopped gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.
“Ten European companies have already opened accounts with Gazprombank, necessary to meet Russia’s payment demands,” the source said. Russia supplies gas to 23 European countries through pipelines.
What happens if you open a ruble account in a Russian bank?
Putin said buyers of Russian gas should open ruble accounts in Russian banks. The gas supplied from April 1 is being paid through these accounts. If payment is not made from the ruble account, Russia will treat the buyers as defaulters and they will have to face the consequences. Russian gas exports are believed to be Putin’s biggest weapon. In such a situation, Putin, who is in trouble, wants to reduce the economic sanctions on Russia by using the gas supply as a weapon.
Germany said – this is straight blackmailing
In fact, most European countries have rejected the demand to pay in rubles. Germany, the largest consumer of Russian gas (Russia Natural Gas Supply to Europe), has termed Putin’s demand as blackmailing. Europe is already reeling from wildly rising natural gas prices. In such a situation, if Russia stops gas supply, then there maybe starvation in European countries. Not only this, crores of people may also have to face severe cold due to lack of gas.
