Putin allows “unfriendly” countries to pay for gas in foreign currency

Russia has allowed its gas exporters to accept debt payments, provided by gas buyers from "unfriendly" countries, in foreign currency.

This norm was laid down in the decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, Ukrinform reports.

The document amends the decree "On a special procedure for the fulfillment of obligations by foreign buyers to Russian suppliers of natural gas." That decree, signed by the Russian president late March, regulates gas trade with "unfriendly" countries in roubles.

Now it is proposed to accept gas debt payments to a special account of Russian suppliers, opened in foreign currency.

At the same time, it is noted that debt repayment shall not be considered a reason for the resumption of supplies in case of non-compliance by the foreign buyer with the order introduced in March. That is, gas payments in roubles.

It should be recalled that since April, the Russian authorities demanded that EU countries pay for gas only in roubles. Operators from Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, and the Netherlands snubbed the demand, due to which supplies were terminated.