Europe could pay Russian gas bill in renminbi
By Herbert Poenisch
The world was startled by Russia’s demand for unfriendly European countries to pay for Russian oil and gas exports in roubles. These are contracts which stipulate the payment currency, which in the case of the European Union is the euro. Europe would show shrewdness as well as foresight to stand up to Russian bullying by proposing to settle energy imports from Russia in renminbi.