Russia on Monday issued a firm and adamant response to G-7 ministers who dismissed as “unacceptable” their plan to accept only ruble payments for Russian gas going to “unfriendly” nations.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck said from Berlin that the Kremlin’s demand to pay for natural gas contracts in rubles was a “unilateral and clear breach of contract” – according to Bloomberg, the contracts had to be fulfilled under certain conditions. “This means that payment in rubles is not acceptable and we call on the relevant companies not to comply with Putin’s request,” he said. said Habeck. “Putin’s attempt to drive a wedge between us is obvious, but you can see we will not be divided and the G-7’s response is clear: the treaties will be honored.”
The Kremlin’s rushed downing of the German economy minister’s comments and the G-7’s stance on the ruble came via a Russian lawmaker to state-run RIA Novosti on Monday: “Russian lawmaker Abramov says the G7’s refusal to buy gas in Russian rubles pay will definitely lead to a delivery stop.”
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Elsewhere, the Kremlin said it does not run a “charity organization” – according to TASS:
Moscow regulates the details of its gas supply plans to unfriendly countries for payment in rubles, but it will not work for charity if Europe refuses to pay in Russian currencyKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
… The Kremlin spokesman remained curious as to what measures Russia might take if Europe refused to pay for gas in rubles, noting that these “problems should be solved as soon as they develop”. “But we will definitely not deliver gas for free, that’s for sure. In our situation, charitable commitment is hardly possible or sensible,” he emphasized.
Putin has reportedly set a deadline of several days…
The story goes on
From Zerohedge.com
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