Russian gas customers in Europe may accept Putin’s payment terms
CNNLondon CNN Business — Some of Russia’s biggest natural gas customers in Europe’s are preparing to accept the Kremlin’s new payment termsrather than risk being cut off by Moscow, a fate suffered by Poland and Bulgaria this week. Germany’s Uniper said on Thursday it would continue to pay for Russian gas in euros but added that it believes a “payment conversion compliant with sanctions law” is possible. Austrian energy firm OMVsaid on Thursday that it had considered the new payment request from Russian gas giant Gazprom and was “now working on a sanctions-compliant solution.” Putin on Wednesday made good on his threat to cut off countries that refuse the new payment terms. The European Commission issued guidance to EU member states last week saying that is “appears possible” that buyers could comply with the new Russian rules without getting into conflict with EU law.