Putin Wants Unfriendly Countries to Pay for Russian Gas in Roubles

Reporter: Hasbi Maulana | Editor: Hasbi Maulana

KONTAN.CO.ID - LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - Russia will seek payment in roubles for gas sold to "unfriendly" countries, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, and European gas prices soared on concerns the move would exacerbate the region's energy crunch.

European nations and the United States have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. But Europe depends heavily on Russian gas for heating and power generation, and the European Union is split on whether to sanction Russia's energy sector.