Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia does not intend to supply gas for free if Europeans refuse to pay for the fuel in rubles. He said this on Monday, Interfax reported.
When asked what Russia will do if Europe refuses to pay for gas in rubles, Peskov said that all issues "will be solved as they arise."
When asked if it is possible to refuse to supply gas in such a situation, Peskov said that "we will not supply gas for free, this is unambiguous."
"This can be said with absolute certainty. In our situation, it is hardly possible or expedient to engage in European charity," he said.
Peskov also said that "the process of supply is very, very complicated, it's not like buying some product in a store, when you buy something in a store and pay for it."
"It's both delivering and paying and bringing up the balance sheet. It's a process that stretches over time. Now all the modalities are just being worked out between the agencies, with Gazprom, and then there will be a clear time frame," Peskov said.
