Despite the war, Russian gas still flows to Europe through Ukraine

Gazprom’s logo in Sofia, Bulgaria in the photo taken on April 27, 2022 – Photo: REUTERS

Reuters news agency reported that Gazprom made the transaction on request from customers in Europe. Total gas volume is at 92.1 million m3, lower than the proposed March 7 of 92.4 million m3.

The move comes after Poland and Bulgaria said they had received notice from Gazprom to stop supplying gas to these two countries since April 27.

At the end of March 2022, Russia warned Europe about the possibility of cutting off gas supplies unless these countries pay for gas in rubles. The buyer will have to open an account at Russian bank Gazprombank, and the euros or USD will then be converted to rubles for payment.

On April 22, the European Commission (EC) issued a non-binding guidance document stating that companies under European Union (EU) payment can still be made in euros or dollars and then converted to rubles without violating EU sanctions on Russia.

Accordingly, EU companies can find a way to avoid the requirement to pay for gas in rubles according to the decree No. 172/31 of the Russian president signed on March 31 without being considered a violation of sanctions. .

*In developments related to the EU’s proposed oil embargo from Russia, on May 2, Poland’s Climate Minister Anna Moskwa said Poland wants the EU to come up with a specific date on which member states must stop importing Russian oil, and expressed hope that the embargo could take effect before the end. this year.

The EU is drafting a sixth package of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on oil imports from Moscow according to a schedule that will take effect from the end of 2022.