Latvia admits it has resumed purchases of Russian gas

Gas equipment. Archival photoMOSCOW, July 29 Latvijas gāze buys Russian gas again, but not from Gazprom, but from another supplier, and pays for it in euros, the head of the company, Aigars Kalvitis, said on the air of Latvijas Televīzija ..

"Latvijas gāze is now purchasing gas (from Russia. — Ed.), but we are not currently buying gas from "Gazprom", because we cannot with &#34 ;Gazprom" pay off. We have another provider <…> (Who is he . — Ed. note) — this is commercial information that we do not discuss in the public space", he said.

Kalvitis also assured that the company is paying for gas with a supplier in euros, not in rubles. Earlier in July, the Latvian parliament adopted amendments to the energy law prohibiting the purchase of Russian gas, and Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said that the country intends to do without this channel resource supplies.«Waiting for the reaction of senior comrades.» Expert on Latvia's decision on gas In May, the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC) of Latvia refused to issue a special permit to Latvijas Gāze to pay for Russian gas in rubles. Earlier, the management of Latvijas Gāze reported that «the procedure for paying for gas in Russian rubles does not formally violate the sanctions regime and is possible.» However, then this publication was removed from the company's website. After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, the West increased sanctions pressure on 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.Russia is ready to resume gas supplies to Bulgaria, Mitrofanova said