EU succumb to Russia’s demands to pay for gas in rubles
EU succumb to Russia’s demands to pay for gas in rubles.
Cairo/ Hani Kamal El Din –
Bloomberg columnists John Folin and Alberto Nardelli said some European leaders are now leaning toward a “vague agreement” that would allow supplies to continue through a major pipeline to Hungary and other countries.
“EU member states do not keep their promises to hit … the most affected point in Russia: its lucrative energy industry. The focus was on Hungary’s refusal to support sanctions, but other countries acquiesced in Putin’s demands for gas payments in rubles.
It is noteworthy that the matter is not only in Hungary – a European minister recently admitted that it is a pity that some operators opened accounts in rubles, contrary to what they said publicly.
According to Volyn and Nardeli, there was a split in the European Union between Western and Eastern countries – on the issues of supplies to Kyiv and dialogue with Moscow.
Earlier, Budapest proposed to the European Union a ban on offshore oil supplies from Russia to replace onshore oil supplies, so that the economies of the Union countries could function normally.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also said that sanctions against Russia are effective “only on paper” and that those imposing a continental blockade “fail”.
