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Major international energy companies in Germany, Austria and Italy have begun preparations to buy Russian gas using a new payment system accepted by Moscow.
Uniper announced that it will pay for the gas it buys from Russia in euros, but it will be converted into rubles through a new account opened in Russian currency. She justified this by saying that the available options are non-existent. At the same time, it affirmed its commitment to the sanctions, given that it is possible to transfer payments in accordance with the Penal Code and the Russian decree.
According to media reports, other European energy companies are preparing to open accounts in rubles, fearing a decrease in supply.
This comes after the Kremlin’s decision that “unfriendly” countries pay for Russian gas and oil in rubles.
Uniper said that it is not possible to dispense with Russian gas in the short term. Because of the “serious consequences” for the German economy.
In Italy, the giant Eni company began opening an account in Russian banks in the national currency to pay gas bills in accordance with the Russian decision. The company refused to comment on this step to escape the international embarrassment related to Western economic sanctions against Russia.
The Russian energy giant had said yesterday that it had suspended all gas shipments to Bulgaria and Poland. After the two countries refused to start paying for supplies in rubles.
Germany and the European Union in general are the largest importers of Russian energy. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia has made only €63 billion in fossil fuel exports.
The European continent depends on Russian gas supplies to meet more than 40 % of its gas needs
