OREANDA-NEWS. Methods of paying for Russian gas in rubles are now being worked out, but it can be said with absolute certainty that Russia will definitely not supply gas for free, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation. According to him, cited by RIA Novosti, such actions are regarded as inappropriate charity.

In our situation, it is hardly possible and expedient to engage in pan-European charity,” the Kremlin spokesman emphasized.

As reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin expects until March 31 a report from the Cabinet of Ministers, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and the Gazprom company on changing the currency of payments for gas supplies to unfriendly countries to the ruble. According to the instructions, the transition to the Russian currency is required to be carried out while maintaining the volumes of deliveries established by the contracts, prices and pricing principles.

Earlier, Alexander Dzhioev, an analyst at Alfa Capital, said that the expected partial transition of gas trade to rubles contributes to the strengthening of the national currency. According to him, there will be more economic agents interested in exchange rate stability when the transition takes place.

Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner advised Western companies not to pay for Russian gas supplies in rubles. He recommended the heads of foreign firms to act in accordance with contractual agreements.