Moscow's demand to pay for natural gas in Russian rubles contradicts the requirements of the signed agreements, said French President Emmanuel Macron, explaining that Russian gas should be paid in euros.
According to Macron, the European Commission will be empowered to carry out centralized gas purchases for the European Union.
"Group purchases, the possibility of concluding long-term contracts together are the best tool to reduce gas prices," said the French leader. Macron expressed the opinion that in the coming years the import of Russian energy should be significantly reduced.