Alexey Gromov, Principal Director on Energy Studies of the Institute for Energy and Finance, commented to Forbes on the proposed Russian scheme for transferring gas payments to rubles with the so-called unfriendly countries.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree on gas trade with "unfriendly" countries for rubles. The mechanism has been operational since April 1.
The decree does not imply a change in the currency of payment, but only introduces a new settlement procedure, that is, this decision is not a gross or significant violation of existing contracts, since payment in euros or dollars remains, Alexey Gromov believes.
Foreign counterparties of Gazprom are only offered to switch to making payments for the supplied gas through an authorized bank - Gazprombank, which is already one of the main banks through which payments for Russian gas are made, the expert notes.
At the same time, Gromov says, the decree does not oblige Gazprom's foreign counterparties to buy rubles. All you have to do is open a special currency and ruble account with Gazprombank.
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