The scheme remains Putin's, but payments for natural gas supplies must be made in the currency specified in the contracts.
EU sanctions do not prevent gas operators from opening bank accounts with Gazprombank, as required by the Kremlin's gas payment scheme. However, there is one significant “but”. This was reported by Bloomberg with reference to the representative of the European Commission Eric Mamer.
“EU sanctions” do not prevent economic operators from opening bank accounts in the bank intended for payments “, – ed.) for contracts for the supply of natural gas in the currency specified in these contracts”, – this is the position of the EU.
At the same time, the European Union says that gas companies will violate sanctions if bank accounts for the purchase of Russian gas are opened in rubles.
In line with the EU position, supplies should be considered fully paid after payment in dollars or euros – depending on the terms of the contract.
“Instead of opening an account in rubles” would go beyond the instructions we gave to members on the permitted regime, “Mamer said.
Thus, the EU has in fact agreed to the Kremlin's gas payment mechanism, with the exception of the last clause, which provided for the conversion into rubles, after crediting funds – dollars or euros, to an account with Gazprombank.
” Anything beyond opening an account in the currency of the contract with Gazprombank and making a payment to this account, and then issuing a statement that you believe you have completed the payment, is contrary to sanctions, “he said. Mamer.
Read also: The European Union has been blackmailed by the Kremlin and is ready to allow Putin's scheme to pay for gas
telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Russian dictator says European companies will be able to pay for Russian gas dollars or euros . Like, the money will be transferred to Gazprombank, which is not under sanctions, and later will be transferred in rubles to Russia. The irony of the situation was that Scholz did not understand the intricacies of this scheme, and asked for a written explanation to better understand the proposal .
At the same time, after Bulgaria and Poland refused to comply with Russia's demand to pay for gas in rubles, and cut off their supply of natural gas . At the same time, the Bulgarian side has fully fulfilled its obligations and made all payments required under the current contract.
It is known that the EU is preparing a plan B in case of termination Russia’s gas imports are an energy saving plan to be approved on May 18. The European Union will require member states to share gas with more affected countries if Russia cuts off supplies.
Read also: Russia may cut off gas to Europe on May 21
In the event of an emergency, the measures will affect almost all EU partners. Therefore, those countries that have other sources of supply, such as Spain, will have to share their gas with countries affected by the Russian downsizing.
Brussels will also require that rationing of energy, which will start in the industrial sector, be applied in such a way that companies in the full supply country do not have a competitive advantage over companies in countries affected by the Russian Federation.
