Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. File photoROME, May 3The European Commission needs to decide whether paying for gas in rubles would violate sanctions against Moscow, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a press conference.
"Important, for the European Commission to express a clear legal opinion on whether paying for gas in rubles is a circumvention of sanctions or not: this is the only way to preserve our unity", the head of government said.
According to Draghi, he continues to consider paying in rubles a violation contractual obligations, which “rules out such a possibility,” and therefore “looks forward to the European Commission,” which can support his opinion. “On the issue of paying for gas, we will follow the instructions of the European Commission, there are no differences between Italy and other countries,” the prime minister said.< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/0c791900dced7ced8107a0e8ad03133c.jpg" />The West wants Russian resources for freeAfter the start of the Russian military special operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, the West stepped up sanctions pressure to Moscow. Many countries have announced the freezing of Russian assets. Calls to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources have become louder in Europe. Under these conditions, since April 1, Russia has been accepting payments for gas only in rubles. The importer must open a special account with Gazprombank, to which he will transfer funds in the currency specified in the contract, the bank will sell this currency on the Moscow Exchange and credit rubles to the account of the gas buyer, from which settlements with the supplier will be made.
German business fears production shutdown due to lack of gas