Putin wants 'unfriendly' countries to pay for Russian gas in roubles
Russia will seek payment in roubles for gas sales from "unfriendly" countries, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. The announcement sent European gas prices soaring on concerns that the move would exacerbate the region's energy crisis. European countries' dependence on Russian gas to heat their homes and power their economies has been thrown into the spotlight since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, and the imposition of western sanctions to isolate Russia economically. Russian President Vladimir Putin at an online Cabinet meeting on March 23. Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP With the financial noose tightening and the EU split on whether to impose sanctions on Russia's energy sector, Mr Putin hit back with a clear message: if you want our gas, buy our currency. "Russia will continue, of course, to supply natural gas in accordance with volumes and prices ... fixed in previously concluded contracts," he said in a televised meeting...