Vladimir Putin is threatening the West with an unprecedented energy and food crisis, at the same time that Russian troops are not only not retreating, as agreed in the negotiations in Turkey on Tuesday, but seem to be regrouping and focusing their operations on four fronts, indiscriminately bombarding with artillery and aerial means.
On Thursday, the Russian president signed a decree, which states that from tomorrow Friday, the repayment of Russian gas from Western countries will be made through an account in Russian banks, where the currency will be converted into rubles. The reaction of the Europeans was immediate, with Germany and France jointly rejecting the Russian president’s demands, saying they would not pay for Russian gas in rubles. Germany later referred to Putin’s blackmail with energy and gas.
Putin said that the repayment of gas in rubles is the only way and that otherwise he would cancel the agreements, thus “closing” the flows to Europe and other Western countries. The Russian president is already considering the same measure for the sale of both oil and agricultural goods, with which Russia supplies many countries.
They bomb Kyiv, Chernihiv, Izium and Donbas
At the same time, the situation on the battle front does not seem to be changing. Russian troops, according to sources in Ukraine and US intelligence, are reportedly concentrating their operations in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Izium (south of Kharkov) and the Donbas region.
As of Wednesday, Donetsk and Lugansk are being ruthlessly bombarded by all means (artillery and aircraft), while operations continue unabated in and around the capital, especially in Irpin.
More than 700 Russian units moved from the outskirts of Kiev
“We have recorded more than 300 Russian operations and bombings in the last 24 hours. “The Russian strikes are concentrated in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Izium, south of Kharkiv and the wider Donbass region,” said a Ukrainian government official. “Kyiv is under great threat and we expect it to be bombed from the air,” he said, although Russia had “committed” to escalating its attacks on both the capital and Chernihiv.
According to the Ukrainian military, the Russians have moved at least 700 motorized units from the outskirts of Kiev, but “a very large number of Russian forces remain around the capital.”
Gas as a lever of pressure for Western sanctions
As a lever of pressure on the West to lift sanctions against Russia Vladimir Putin uses natural gasreiterating on Thursday in Moscow that from tomorrow Friday, the repayments will have to be made in rubles, otherwise he will proceed with the cancellation of the contracts he has concluded.
The Russian president signed the decree for gas payments in rubles and spoke of an “economic war” and stressed that he was determined to react and deal an economic blow to Western countries.
In particular, the presidential decree signed by Putin stipulates that buyers will pay in the currency of the contract and will authorize the bank to convert the currency into rubles which will be placed in a second account from which the gas market will be repaid. In practice, Europe continues to pay in euros and the Russian bank will make them into rubles.
Watch the video with Vladimir Putin’s statements:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evpnGt6a5p8
“Those who want to supply Russian gas, will have to open bank accounts in Russian banks from tomorrow and pay in rubles”Vladimir Putin stated characteristically, clarifying that his decision will not exclude anyone.
“If the price is not paid in rubles, we will consider that the buyers have violated our agreement, with all that entails” The Russian president added: “Nobody sells to us for free and we will not do charity to them. These contracts will be suspended».
Just minutes after the decree was signed by the Russian president and announced on Russian television, the price of gas in international markets jumped from 113 euros to 127. Then the market reacted calmly.
Germany and France reject Putin ultimatum – We do not pay in rubles
Germany and France reject Russia’s request that European countries pay in rubles for the Russian gas they buy, arguing that this demand amounts to an unacceptable breach of contract and “blackmail”.
In a press conference in Berlin with his French counterpart, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said he had not yet seen the new decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin imposing gas payments in rubles, adding that Germany is ready for all scenarios, including the interruption of Russian gas flows to Europe.
French Foreign Minister Bruno Lemerre said France and Germany were rejecting Russia’s request.
Russia’s attempt to divide the Western allies by demanding payments for gas in rubles has failed, Habeck said, adding that the Western allies are determined not to be “blackmailed” by Russia.
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