Danish energy company Ørsted has refused to pay Russiaʼs Gazprom for gas in rubles.
“We have repeatedly informed Gazprom Export that we will not do so. The payment deadline is 31 May and Ørsted will continue to pay in Euros,” the company said, realizing that in this case, Russia may suspend gas supplies under the contract.
The gas contract between Denmark and Russia is valid until 2030.
The Dutch company GasTerra also refused to comply with these requirements of Gazprom. As a result, Russia will cut off gas supplies on May 31, but the Netherlands is confident that it will have time to find an alternative.
“Opening opening accounts in Moscow under Russian law and their control by the Russian regime pose too great a risk for the Groningen company,” GasTerra said in a statement.
- From March 23, according to Putinʼs decree, "countries unfriendly to Russia" will be able to pay for gas only in Russian rubles, not dollars or euros. The list includes all EU countries, the United States, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Ukraine, and a number of other countries. Some countries have waived such requirements, as existing contracts do not provide for payments in this currency.