G7 Energy Ministers reject demand for gas to be paid in roubles

At the invitation of Economic Affairs Minister Habeck, the Energy Ministers of the G7 countries and the Commissioner for Energy of the European Union today met again in a video conference to discuss Putin’s announcement that in future gas deliveries must be paid in roubles. They agreed to reject this demand.

After the video conference, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck said: "I convened today’s G7 meeting in order to reach a coordinated position on Putin’s announcement. All members of the G7 agree that this is a clear unilateral breach of the contracts. Most of the gas supply contracts on deliveries from Russia stipulate payment in euros. We do not see any reason to change the conditions laid down in the contracts. There is no legal basis for President Putin’s call for payment to be made in roubles. The G7 therefore clearly reject President Putin’s demand."

The Joint Statement by G7 Energy Ministers can be found here.

The G7 Energy Ministers last convened to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the distortions on the international energy markets on 10 March. The members of the G7 are, in addition to Germany: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, and the European Union. Germany currently holds the Presidency of the G7.