The European Union has stated clearly that Russia will not be given a route to bypass sanctions or to be paid for gas in rubles. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed this message, according to Reuters.
She called any move to price Russian gas in rubles a unilateral step that would breach existing contracts and an attempt to circumvent sanctions. The era when energy could be wielded as a political weapon has ended, she asserted, and Brussels finds paying in rubles for natural gas unacceptable. These remarks came amid rising tensions about how payments might shift as contracts are renegotiated and currencies move in new directions. The EU’s position is that sanctions must be respected, and any adaptation in payment terms must not erode those restrictions, Reuters reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin countered by saying that Moscow would not accept payments in what he described as self-compromising currencies, including the euro and the dollar, for gas deliveries. He stressed that changes would affect the currencies used in contracts, while the quantity and pricing principles of deliveries would stay intact.
In Europe, Putin’s stance created some confusion. Klaus Ernst, who chairs the Bundestag committee on energy and climate protection, noted a technical possibility to settle in rubles but warned that forcing a change could rekindle debates about the energy embargo on Russian supplies. His comment was reported as part of the ongoing discussions about how to handle energy payments under sanctions.
Susanna Ungrad, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection, said Berlin is aware of the Kremlin’s message and plans to discuss it with EU colleagues and the business community. Similar caution came from PGNiG, the Poland-based gas company, which stated there is no option to pay Russia in rubles for gas. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša echoed that view, saying no European country would pay rubles for gas. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić warned that Russia’s decision to require rubles for gas payments poses a major global challenge, noting that neighboring Hungary may also face difficulties in paying under a ruble system. Vučić emphasized that Serbia depends entirely on imports for gas and oil, and that for many small nations the situation could become unbearable. This sentiment underscores the broader concern about energy security and economic vulnerability in the region, Reuters reports.
Following these comments, a spokesperson for Russian President Dmitry Peskov indicated that Belgrade’s concerns would be prioritized in Moscow’s deliberations. He underscored that the Kremlin would closely monitor Belgrade’s position as the discussion evolves. In Bulgaria the situation was described differently, with a Kremlin spokesman insisting that ruble payments should take precedence regardless of others’ preferences, a stance that added another layer of tension to the regional energy dialogue.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo anticipated a possible reduction in gas prices as a consequence of Moscow’s move, while Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer opposed boycotting Russian oil and gas. He argued that Austria is heavily dependent on these supplies and warned that a boycott could inflame energy prices and destabilize the region. Debates around a boycott or embargo of Russian energy sources are actively appearing as potential next steps in response to the ruble-related shift, with many leaders weighing the economic and strategic implications. Reuters sources indicate that EU member states are negotiating a fifth sanctions package against Russia and considering oil embargo options alongside potential moves on gas, though many governments cautioned against abrupt, wide-scale action that could disrupt energy markets, Reuters reports.
Official voices from Europe highlighted that an immediate, complete replacement of Russian gas in the next five years remains unlikely, a view reiterated by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. German officials, including the economy minister, acknowledged the difficulty of imposing an embargo on coal, oil, and gas from Russia at once. The minister emphasized that while the path is painful, a gradual reduction in reliance on Russian energy is underway. The sentiment reflects a cautious strategy aimed at balancing economic impact with long-term energy security, Reuters notes.
On the Russian side, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, criticized Europe for boasting about rejecting Russian gas and argued that the move toward ruble payments is self-evident. He urged Europe to seek alternative payments methods and to adapt to changing terms in the market, Reuters reports.