2022–2023 Russia–European Union gas dispute
The Russia–EU gas dispute escalated in March 2022 following the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that occurred in late February that year.
History
As a response to a new round of severe sanctions introduced by the EU countries against Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on 23 March 2022 announced that he had made a decision whereby payments for Russian pipeline gas would be switched from "the currencies that had been compromised" (US dollar and euro) to payments in roubles vis-à-vis the previously formally designated "unfriendly countries", including all European Union states; on 28 March, he ordered the Central Bank of Russia, the government, and Gazprom to present proposals by March 31 for gas payments in rubles from "unfriendly countries".[1][2][3]
On 28 March, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck announced that the Group of Seven countries had rejected Russian President's demand that payment for gas be made in rubles.[4] On the same day, Russian president′s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia would "not supply gas for free".[5]
In the evening of 29 March, it was reported that the physical gas flows through the Yamal-Europe pipeline at Germany's Mallnow point had fallen to zero.[6]
References
- ^ "Путин поручил поставлять газ в недружественные страны только за рубли" (in Russian). TASS. 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Putin Orders Preparation Of Proposals For 'Unfriendly Countries' To Pay In Rubles For Gas". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Russia issues list of 'unfriendly' countries amid Ukraine crisis". Al Jazeera English. 8 March 2022.
- ^ "G7 rejects Russia's demand for gas payment in rubles". Deutsche Welle. 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Russia says no free gas deliveries if Europe refuses to pay in rubles". Anadolu Agency. 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Gas flows via Yamal-Europe pipeline fall to zero, other flows steady". Reuters. 29 March 2022.