Slovakia: ‘We will pay for Russian gas in rubles if needed’

Slovakia’s finance minister, who supplies about 85% of demand with Russian gas, said the country would pay in rubles if needed, as it could not be cut off from Russian flows. However, he noted that he was in favor of a joint decision by the European Union.

Russia has demanded to be paid in rubles for the gas it supplies, but the European Union insists European companies that have contracts in euros or dollars will not comply with that request.

“The gas must not stop,” Slovak Minister Richard Sulik told RTVS. “If there is a condition to pay in rubles, then we will pay in rubles.”

Sulik said Slovakia would continue to work with the EU to adopt a common position.

The Slovak SPP provider, however, said it paid in euros in March, as stipulated in its contract.

Sulik said the country has six weeks to find a solution until the next payment, which is due on May 20th.

Source: Capital

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