European officials rejected Russia’s demand, with Germany’s economic minister saying it amounted to a breach of contract.
President Vladimir V. Putin’s demand on Wednesday that “unfriendly countries” like the United States, Britain and the European Union members pay for Russian natural gas in rubles has raised questions as to whether such a move would lead to renegotiation of some contracts. Robert Habeck, the German minister for the economy and climate, responded by saying that the demand amounted to a breach of contract.
