Russia President Vladimir Putin today threatened to turn off Europe’s gas supplies from tomorrow if European countries refuse to pay in roubles.
He said European buyers will have to ‘open rouble accounts in Russian banks’ which can be used to pay for gas.
‘Open rouble accounts in Russian banks’ which can be used to pay for ‘gas delivered starting from tomorrow’.
‘If such payments are not made, we will consider this a default on the part of buyers, with all the ensuing consequences.
“Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either – that is, existing contracts will be stopped,’ said Putin in a televised remark while addressing foreign buyers.
According to Daily Mail, Spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said companies are not willing or planning to buy Russian gas in roubles, while German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Putin’s demand is a ‘blackmail’.
Putin’s move came as a retaliation after the West imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine (on February 24 till present).
