European companies that open ruble accounts violate sanctions - EU representatives

European companies that open ruble accounts to pay for Russian gas are violating EU sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. This was reported by Bloomberg with reference to EU officials.

The EU has officially issued a warning as authorities and companies try to clarify the consequences of Putin's demands to pay for gas in rubles. Officials say Russia's new demand is problematic because it affects Russia's central bank.

"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday warned the company not to comply with Russia's demands, saying it would violate sanctions. But companies are looking for workarounds, and the bloc's own guiding document, released last week, seems to be pushing them to do so, ”Bloomberg said.

A number of countries have asked the EU to give clearer signals of action on payment or non-payment for Russian gas in rubles.

Poland believes that the European Union should punish with fines the countries that have agreed to pay for Russian gas in rubles, writes Reuters.

A day before, Bloomberg reported that 4 companies had already paid in rubles for Russian gas, and 10 European companies had opened special accounts with Gazprombank. Financial Time later reported that in addition to Hungarian companies, Austrian OMV and German Uniper are ready to open accounts.

"The European Commission will be able to launch legal proceedings against EU countries that do not enforce sanctions against Russia," the EC spokesman said.