Europe pursues payment response as Russian gas supply threat eases
LONDON (Reuters) -European governments and companies were working on Friday on a common approach to Russia’s demand that they pay for its gas in roubles as the threat of an imminent supply halt eased.
European capitals have been on alert for a disruption to gas imports for weeks as President Vladimir Putin seeks retaliation over Western sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A crunch point appeared to be in the offing when Moscow issued a decree on Thursday requiring foreign buyers of Russian gas to open rouble accounts in state-run Gazprombank from Friday or else risk being cut-off.
