The G7 countries say that asking for payment in rubles for Russian gas is "unacceptable" and shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "his back to the wall".

The words of German Economy Minister Robert Habeck alone, in a statement released by Berlin as the current president: "All G7 ministers agreed that this is a clear unilateral breach of existing contracts, which means that a payment in rubles is not acceptable, "Habeck said after a virtual meeting with his G7 counterparts.

Moscow's reply is ready. "Europe does not want to pay for gas in rubles? Certainly Russia will not distribute its gas for free, we will not do charity," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pesko quoted by TASS.

Peskov was not out of balance on the countermeasures that Russia could take to the Western refusal to pay for supplies in rubles as requested by the Russian administration. "But we will certainly not provide gas for free, that's for sure. It is almost impossible to do charity in our situation."

Moscow had announced that it would make "hostile" countries pay for gas in rubles. By March 31, Putin expects a report from the Cabinet of Ministers, the Russian Central Bank and Gazprom on the implementation of the currency exchange for the payment of gas supplies.

"The government of the Russian Federation, together with the Bank of Russia and the Gazprom joint stock company, should implement a series of measures to change the currency of payment for natural gas supplies to EU countries and other countries that have introduced measures restrictive to citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian legal persons, to the Russian ruble ".

(Unioneonline / L)

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