Putin’s bid has a high risk, as there are two scenarios.
The observers of the Politico edition came to the conclusion that the Russian leader, by his decision to transfer all settlements with unfriendly countries to the ruble equivalent, is trolling the West and the main reason is the energy dependence of the West on Russia.
The authors of the publication explained that Putin’s bid has a high risk, since there are two options for the development of events.
According to the first, the West will yield to Putin, but in the second option it will risk resistance, after which other steps on the part of Putin may follow.
Expert Timothy Ash also stressed that Putin is trying to force the West to soften the sanctions policy against Russia with his steps. And if the West intends to continue exporting oil and gas from Russia, then they will still have to make a number of deals with Russian companies.
Nevertheless, Putin’s decision will affect European gas buyers as a result, creating difficulties for them, S&P Global Commodity Insights expert James Huxtepp is sure.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden intends to establish LNG supplies to Europe.
According to The Washington Post, a corresponding statement will be made on Friday and timed to coincide with Biden’s visit to Brussels.
Observers explained that if contracts are signed, this will be an unusual step to change the routes of energy supplies.
And apparently such a decision by the United States will be quite useful, since a number of European countries refused to pay for gas in Russian rubles.
In particular, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the contracts concluded with Russia listed only two currencies for settlements – the euro and the dollar. And Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa even answered for the whole of Europe, saying that EU countries will not pay for Russian gas in rubles.
Earlier, Topnews wrote that experts voiced the consequences of selling gas from Russia to Europe for rubles.
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