"Not Possible": France's Macron Dismisses Putin's Demand For Ruble Payments
Major gas buyer Germany has denounced the move, reiterating that the contracts clearly stipulated how the gas should be paid for.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's demand for Europe to pay for gas in rubles as he accused Moscow of trying to sidestep sanctions over its war on Ukraine.
Macron told journalists after an EU summit in Brussels that the Russian move "is not in line with what was signed, and I do not see why we would apply it".
Putin made the demand this week as Moscow struggles to prop up its economy in the face of debilitating sanctions imposed by the West over his invasion of Ukraine.
Macron said that "we are continuing our analysis work" following the Kremlin's manoeuvre.
But he insisted "all the texts signed are clear: it is prohibited. So European players who buy gas and who are on European soil must do so in euros".
"It is therefore not possible today to do what is requested, and it is not contractual," he said.
The French leader said he believed Moscow was using the step as "a mechanism to circumvent" EU sanctions against it for the assault on Ukraine.
Major gas buyer Germany has denounced the move and Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday reiterated that the contracts clearly stipulated how the gas should be paid for.
Europe is scrambling to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. It continues to funnel hundreds of millions of euros each day to Moscow in energy payments, which are currently outside the scope of the sanctions.
Some EU nations have called for the bloc to ban Moscow's key energy exports, but the move has so far been stymied by countries including Germany that remain too wary of the cost of cutting the cord.
Macron told journalists after an EU summit in Brussels that the Russian move "is not in line with what was signed, and I do not see why we would apply it".
Putin made the demand this week as Moscow struggles to prop up its economy in the face of debilitating sanctions imposed by the West over his invasion of Ukraine.
Macron said that "we are continuing our analysis work" following the Kremlin's manoeuvre.
But he insisted "all the texts signed are clear: it is prohibited. So European players who buy gas and who are on European soil must do so in euros".
"It is therefore not possible today to do what is requested, and it is not contractual," he said.
The French leader said he believed Moscow was using the step as "a mechanism to circumvent" EU sanctions against it for the assault on Ukraine.
Major gas buyer Germany has denounced the move and Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday reiterated that the contracts clearly stipulated how the gas should be paid for.
Europe is scrambling to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. It continues to funnel hundreds of millions of euros each day to Moscow in energy payments, which are currently outside the scope of the sanctions.
Some EU nations have called for the bloc to ban Moscow's key energy exports, but the move has so far been stymied by countries including Germany that remain too wary of the cost of cutting the cord.
Comments
Oh ya 5 year ago
Putin has not yet shut off gas or oil to anyone even those sanctioning him but there might come a day and when the heat goes off in your house or gas to run a business then maybe Macron will find a way to pay in the Ruble. They have blocked Russia out of the SWIFT system so there is no way France or any other country can pay for the gas in Euros or dollars, so why should he not demand something that he can use as in the Ruble. Push Russia into a corner until you see a mushroom cloud out your front window in Europe or the United States and then thank your leaders for WWIII. the same as the US did to Japan with sanctions that forced Japan into WW2. yes history is history even if it does not fit your thoughts on how it happened