The French energy company still refuses to pay Moscow in rubles. The next payment is due at the end of May.
The scenario so dreaded by the Europeans of the cessation of Russian gas deliveries remainsplausibleAccording to the general manager of Engie, Catherine MacGregor, questioned this morning at the microphone of RTL. A situation that has already affected Poland and Bulgaria for several days. In question, the refusal of the 27 to pay for its imports in rubles, as demanded by Vladimir Putin. Currently, “we continue to pay according to the terms of the contract“, hammered Catherine MacGregor. However, a next payment must take place at the end of May. This is when the stop could be decided, or not.
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The business manager, however, wanted to reassure about the consequences of such a decision. She thus recalled that the weather was now more lenient and should continue to improve. This logically reduces consumption. Besides, “stocks are quite high“, of the order of “34%“filling and additional cargo”arrive in droves” coming from “many countries» (Qatar, United States, Algeria…) The objective nevertheless remains to prepare now for next winter. “The later the stop (…) the better next winter will be“, she warned.
An embargo will in any case have important consequences for Europe. Gas prices, already very high, could still soar, even if this “remains difficult to quantify“Explained the director general of Engie. At last “Europe will have a hard time doing without Russian gas“, a halt in deliveries will inevitably lead to an increase in “load shedding“.
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