At the conclusion of its Monday meeting, the European Union has said it will not heed Russian demands to pay for gas in rubles, with a mid-May deadline for payment looming. The bloc also warned its member states to prepare for Russia to cut off gas to all members. Failure to meet Russian demands on this point have already resulted in gas being cut off to Poland and Bulgaria last week. European energy commissioner Kadri Simson said on Monday that all energy ministers across the bloc had acknowledged that paying in roubles would represent a breach of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. According to the Guardian , several EU countries are in a position in which they have to renew supply contracts by the end of this month and may be considering a loophole–one that the Kremlin itself has suggested. The loophole would reportedly have a […]