Gazprom plans to make payments in Russian rubles from CSI countries

Given the current instability on world financial markets, Gazprom plans to take up payments in the Russian currency for natural gas deliveries in CSI countries, Nezavasimaia gazeta reads quoting Gazprom vice-president Andrey Kruglov. Experts argue that this move is an advantage for the Russian energy companies, but no word is out yet on the reaction of the neighbors.

However, Kruglov said that the decision was not yet final but the option was very attractive. According to him, this strategy would imply certain infrastructures that need to be created. He did not exclude the possibility that, by changing the currency for CSI countries would be to set up a pilot project that would open up other possibilities.