DISINFO: Sofia will have to buy Russian gas in rubles
SUMMARY
Sofia will have to buy Russian gas in rubles whether it likes it or not. Russia will continue to deliver gas based on the conditions laid down in the contracts, only the currency of payments will change, and Gazprom was instructed to amend the contracts.
RESPONSE
A manipulative pro-Kremlin narrative seeking to convince people that there is no other choice but to pay for Russian gas in rubles.
The existing contracts regulate the currency of payments. Russia would break these contracts by forcing others to pay in rubles and Gazprom cannot unilaterally amend the contracts.
The narrative came into prominence against the backdrop of sanctions levied on Russia by the EU for its war against Ukraine. These sanctions followed violations of international legalities, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU established the sanctions regime under its laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine." The European Commission has stated that paying Russia in rubles would constitute a breach of these sanctions.