"Not Possible": France's Macron Dismisses Putin's Demand For Ruble Payments

Major gas buyer Germany has denounced the move, reiterating that the contracts clearly stipulated how the gas should be paid for.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's demand for Europe to pay for gas in rubles as he accused Moscow of trying to sidestep sanctions over its war on Ukraine.

Macron told journalists after an EU summit in Brussels that the Russian move "is not in line with what was signed, and I do not see why we would apply it".

Putin made the demand this week as Moscow struggles to prop up its economy in the face of debilitating sanctions imposed by the West over his invasion of Ukraine.

Macron said that "we are continuing our analysis work" following the Kremlin's manoeuvre.