OREANDA-NEWS. The Danish energy company Ørsted refused to make payments to Gazprom in rubles, Reuters reports with reference to the head of the enterprise, Thomas Thune. He called this decision not political.

We do not intend to comply with this requirement,” the head of the company said.

Speaking at the AGM, Thune said the decision was made for legal reasons and was not politically motivated.

Ørsted, which is largely owned by the Danish state (50.1%), sold its oil and gas assets in 2017 in connection with its work on wind energy projects, according to the agency. At the same time, Ørsted entered into a long-term contract for the purchase of gas by Gazprom Export on a take-or-pay basis. It was concluded in 2006 and will last until 2030. Currently, the agreements cannot be terminated, but they will not be extended either.

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier sent an instruction to the government to give a directive to Gazprom to change the currency of payments for natural gas in existing contracts for rubles. According to the president, the changes will affect only the currency in which subsequent payments will be made.

At the same time, a number of European countries refused such a decision, considering this step a violation of sanctions.