President of the aggressor country Vladimir Putin ordered last week that Moscow would only accept rubles as payment for gas deliveries to "unfriendly" countries, including European Union nations. However, the ultimatum did not pass, Europe massively refuses to pay in rubles and the head of the Kremlin backtracked, agreeing to receive gas payments from the EU in euros.
According to DW, this is evidenced by the statement of the German government, but the mechanism of settlements with Russia remains unclear.
According to the German government, the Russian leader said the money would be paid into Gazprom Bank, which is not a subject of sanctions and then transferred in rubles to Russia. Thus, they have received assurances from Russia that Europe would not have to pay for Russian gas supplies in rubles.
Olaf Scholz's office said Russian President Vladimir Putin told the German Chancellor that European companies could continue paying in euros or dollars.
In a phone call with Scholz, Putin said the money would be paid into Gazprom Bank and then transferred in rubles to Russia, a German statement said. The bank is not currently subject to sanctions.
"Scholz did not agree to this procedure in the conversation, but asked for written information to better understand the procedure," the statement added.
As “Apostrophe” earlier reported, the United States will supply an additional 15 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas to the countries of the European Union by the end of this year.
This should replace the part of the gas that the European Union receives from Russia - it is noted that this year the supply of American LNG should cover about 10 percent of gas imports from Russia to the EU.