Putin Steps ON The Gas
Threatens to turn off gas supplies to countries in Europe if they refuse to pay in roubles
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Vladimir Putin on Thursday threatened to turn off gas supplies of countries in Europe from Friday if they refuse to pay in roubles. These contracts for supply of gas were until now only in dollars and Euros. Putin's demand for rouble payments is an attempt to shore up the currency, which has been hit by sanctions from the West. The move has deepened the simmering energy crisis in the European Union, which relies on Russia for around 40 per cent of total consumption. Putin on Thursday signed a decree stating foreign buyers must "must open rouble accounts in Russian banks," which can be used to pay for gas deliveries starting from Friday,
"If such payments are not made, we will consider this a default on the part of buyers, with all the ensuing consequences. Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either - that is, existing contracts will be stopped," Putin added in televised remarks.
Russian minister lands as Us frest
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov landed in Delhi on Thursday on a two-day official visit, his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last month.
The visit has come at a critical time when both Russia and India are scouring for ways to maintain trade and other relations despite the Ukraine crisis.
Lavrov will meet PM Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Friday. The visit would be the highest-level visit from Moscow since Vladimir Putin's attack on the East European country. Lavrov's trip has also coincided with British Foreign Minister Liz Truss's visit,, <br>
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