Minister: Hungary negotiating ruble gas payments with Gazprom

BUDAPEST, Apr 6 (PRIME) -- Hungary is working with Russian gas giant Gazprom on technical details of payments in rubles, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday.

"We are working on this issue. First, I want to say that the first payment obligation to Gazprom will arise at the end of May, and we are now working on the details of technical solution to be able to pay," the official said.

He added that the contract between Hungary and Gazprom is bilateral and does not depend on the E.U.’s decision on Russian gas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on March 23 to charge rubles for gas and consider payments in any other currency non-fulfillment of the contracts since April 1. The payments will be done via Gazprombank that will exchange the other currencies for rubles.

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