Kremlin says 'no change of currency' in payments for Russian gas

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - There will be no changes for the recipients of the Russian gas as they will pay in the same currency stipulated by the contracts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

The scheme of payment for the Russian gas in rubles is ready, very soon it will be presented to the public, Peskov promised at a daily press briefing in Moscow.

"De facto, there will be no changes for the recipients of Russian gas who pay for these supplies. In any case, they purchase rubles for the same currency that is specified in the contracts. Russia remains committed to all its obligations under the existing contracts and agreements, both in quantity and price," Peskov said.

He also confirmed that the option for Germany to pay in euros through Gazprom Bank is being considered.

Asked about the resumption of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, Peskov promised to inform as of Friday if that happens.

As for the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said it may happen when the work on a peace treaty is finalized.

About the Pentagon's comment, claiming Putin is being misinformed by his senior advisors on how his war against Ukraine is faring, and the state of the Russian economy, Peskov said "neither the (US) State Department nor the Pentagon has real information about what is happening in the Kremlin."

"This is not just a pity, but it causes concern, because such a complete misunderstanding leads to erroneous decisions, rash decisions that have very bad consequences," he noted.

On March 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to transfer payments for the gas deliveries to Europe in rubles, as the euro and dollar "were discredited" when the West had frozen Russian state debt in these currencies.

On Wednesday, the German government said payments would continue to be made exclusively in euros and transferred to Gazprom Bank, which is not affected by the sanctions, and which would then convert the money into rubles.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,189 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,901 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.