This content was published on March 30, 2022 – 4:44 p.m. March 30, 2022 – 4:44 p.m
Rome, 30 March (EFE).- Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi today held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for “clear signs of de-escalation” in favor of a peace process in Ukraine.
The two presidents discussed the steps taken in the last rounds of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian sides and agreed to keep in touch.
Draghi stressed “the importance of concluding a ceasefire as soon as possible to protect civilians and support negotiation efforts,” according to Italian government sources.
And he also insisted on Rome’s willingness “to contribute to the peace process if there were clear signs of de-escalation by Russia.”
For his part, Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, “has described the payment system for Russian gas in rubles,” the Russian currency, rather than euros or dollars, a requirement the European Union does not want to see in violation of existing ones Contracts.
Italy is one of the European countries most dependent on foreign gas, as it imports 90% of its consumption and about 40% comes from Russia.
Last week, Putin announced that the country would refuse to pay for Russian gas in foreign currencies, including dollars and euros, and would only charge in rubles for supplies to “unfriendly” countries, including the EU and the United States. United States or the United Kingdom.
This is a measure in response to sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
Italian state-owned energy company ENI has no intention of paying for Russian gas in rubles, according to recent overtures by its CEO Claudio Descalzi, according to the media. EFE
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