Following conversations with the European Union, Germany and Italy advised firms they could create ruble accounts to keep buying Russian gas without breaking sanctions, according to sources.
The argument over Russia’s demand that international gas purchasers pay in rubles has put European countries’ commitment to adopt a strong stand against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict to the test.
Because Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland refused to comply with Moscow’s requirement that importers pay for gas through Gazprombank accounts in rubles, their supplies were interrupted.
Other member states, on the other hand, have been hesitant to pressure corporations into taking actions that may result in the loss of important Russian gas supplies that heat homes and power industries.
Brussels has issued two sets of formal instructions on how to buy Russian gas without violating sanctions, but the legal path remains hazy, since EU officials also warned enterprises not to create ruble accounts with Gazprombank in a closed-door conference.
Some EU officials in Brussels believe the advise was deliberately imprecise in order to allow nations to register ruble accounts and continue buying Russian gas.
“One has the impression that it leaves the door open for business as usual,” According to one diplomat, opening ruble accounts in some countries while not doing so in others risks compromising EU solidarity against Russia.
“They needed to create a level of creative ambiguity,” a second diplomat said, referring to the Commission’s advice. “The purpose of creative ambiguity is to create just enough room for all the different interpretations.”
The Commission declined to comment on the discussions.
Two sources told Reuters that German gas importers have been told by Berlin they can open ruble accounts to pay for Russian gas without violating sanctions, as long as the payments they make to Gazprombank are not in the Russian currency.
The Italian government also spoke to the European Commission and received clarity on how to buy Russian gas legally, a senior government source told Reuters.
If you would like to contact us send an email at: [email protected]