G7 not to pay for Russian gas in roubles - Germany’s Habeck

Energy ministers from the Group of Seven have rejected demands put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin that "unfriendly" nations pay for Russian gas with roubles.

That’s according to Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who spoke with the press after talks with his G7 counterparts on Monday, Reuters reports.

"All G7 ministers have agreed that this is a unilateral and clear breach of existing contracts," Habeck told reporters.

He added that the ministers "underlined once again that the concluded contracts are valid and the companies should and must respect them ... payment in roubles is unacceptable, and we call on the companies concerned not to comply with Putin's demand."

“Putin’s attempt to divide us is obvious, but - as you can see from this great unity and determination - we will not be divided,” Habeck stressed.

On March 23, Vladimir Putin said Russia would demand from “unfriendly countries” to pay for Russian gas supplies in Russian roubles. The move was seen as an attempt to contain the fall of the Russian national currency and circumvent Western sanctions imposed on Russia.