The Group of Seven major economies (G7) have agreed to reject Moscow's demand to pay for Russian natural gas exports in rubles, the German energy minister Robert Habeck said on Monday. Habeck, which country is presiding over the presidency of the G7, said in a press conference that agreeing to the scheme was in violation of already agreed upon contracts. The virtual meeting for the G7 would demand from the group's companies to dismiss the Russian unacceptable demand to purchase gas via the Ruble. Asked what happens if Russia turns off the taps now, Germany's energy minister said, "We are prepared for all scenarios." "Putin's demand to convert the contracts to ruble (means) he is standing with his back to the wall in that regard, otherwise he wouldn't have made that demand," Habeck said, adding that Russia needs rubles to finance its war at home, such as payments to troops. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that "unfriendly" countries would have to pay by the Ruble to acquire Russian gas, a step reacting to western countries' sanctions against Russia. Asked by reporters earlier Monday if Russia could cut natural gas supplies to European customers if they reject the demand to pay in rubles, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call that "we clearly aren't going to supply gas for free." "In our situation, it's hardly possible and feasible to engage in charity for Europe," Peskov said. — Agencies
