Gazprom lawyers are researching the gas contract termination consequences

The Russian energy giant Gazprom is investigating how the gas tap could be turned off to the unfriendly countries” and what the consequences would be. The Russian daily Kommersant reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

President Vladimir Putin previously indicated that he wants the “unfriendly countries” to settle the gas they import from Russia in rubles in the short term. Countries like Germany and Austria are already preparing for the worst.

The Russian president instructed the Central bank of Russia and Gazprom to draw up a payment schedule before today. It is the Russian response to the sanctions imposed by the West after the country invaded Ukraine.

The countries of the European Union, which depend on Russian gas for 40 percent of the total, have indicated their unwillingness to pay in rubles.

“Gazprom is indeed working on options to stop gas supplies to unfriendly countries altogether and is considering the consequences of such a step,” the newspaper writes. Gazprom did not comment.