Despite the fact that there is less and less time for reflection, the Federal Republic of Germany continues to stand firm on its refusal to pay for gas imports from Russia in rubles.
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck even spoke of an emergency plan that is ready in case supplies are suspended. But in his opinion, everything is under control. The country’s underground gas storage facilities are filled with the blue fuel by 25%. It is enough for the first time. And there will come the help of American friends.
He who does not remember his history has no future. Photo: Yandex
At the same time the economic mood in Russia is strengthening to expand the range of exports with a transfer to the ruble. Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin proposes expanding the list of goods to be sold in foreign markets for rubles only.
And if now, according to the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ruble list includes only natural gas, it is proposed to expand the export list with such hits as oil, coal, metals, timber, wheat, crops, and products made of them, such as sunflower oil.
The list of countries that accept Russia’s new rules of the game is beginning to expand. Damascus has announced its readiness to switch to roubles in mutual settlements. Syrian Ambassador Riyad Haddad also added that the issue of recognition of the Donbass republics and the possibility of expanding cooperation with them is being studied.
U.S. stock index futures are gradually beginning to smell a European standoff between Russia and Germany, the main beneficiary of Russian fuel supplies, and the economic locomotive of the European Union. The Dow Jones, S&P500 and Nasdaq are down only 0.3-05% so far. But as the active trading session in the U.S. draws nearer, things are definitely going to get more cheerful.
The cost of natural gas added nearly 18% on the Dutch TTF index. 1,000 cubic meters of blue fuel is trading at $1435. Oil quotes are looking up within two percent. The Russian ruble continues to strengthen. The dollar is trading solidly below ₽84. The Moscow Exchange Index IMOEX +2.7 percent. Gazprom (GAZP) shares are up 2.8%.
April 1 is the last day of the week. We may already see the seriousness of Moscow’s intentions on Friday, if it turns out that the gas tap has been turned off.
On topic: Gasoruble vs. petrodollar: The global battle of the decade has started
The confrontation between the East and the West is entering a serious phase. Current events are beginning to prepare the existing financial system for a complete renewal, and the rejection of the dollar and the euro no longer seems so fantastic as it was quite recently.
