"
I think it would be good for a few months, at least, to allow companies to go ahead and pay in rubles,
while we understand the legal framework and the implications."
Thus the Minister of Ecological Transition
Roberto Cingolani to Politico on gas payments
after the decree of Russia which provides for the opening of an account in rubles for companies of 'hostile' states.
"I believe that oil and gas companies cannot risk paying and then be accused of breaking sanctions, but at the same time they cannot risk ... not paying in rubles."
In long contracts "the costs would be extremely high".
"The article published by Politico entitled" Italy open to paying for Russian gas with rubles "is misleading and does not correspond to the position expressed by
Minister Cingolani who has never opened to a payment in rubles".
This is what the Ministry of Ecological Transition affirms in a note in which it adds that "pending a joint definition, at EU level, of the position on payments, the euro / rubles scheme which provides for companies to pay in euros, at the moment does not suggest a violation of the sanctions established on February 24 ".