Finland will not pay russia for its gas in rubles despite the russian authorities' demands. This statement by the Minister of European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen was published by The Guardian.
"Finland’s stance is clear. We support harsh sanctions... and we are ready to provide sanction regarding gas," she stated.
Minister added that Finland wanted to abandon russian gas as soon as possible.
Recently the russian federation announced that it would accept payments for gas in rubles only. The relevant decree was signed by Vladimir Putin. It was based on russia's desire to strengthen its currency and declare economic war on Europe, as the Office of the president of Ukraine's head Andriy Yermak has stated.
Currently, only Hungary univocally agreed to meet russia's ultimatum. "Gazprom" cut off the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria because they refused to pay in rubles.
Other countries, such as Germany and Austria, stated they were not going to meet Putin's demand. The EU says it will see European energy companies' opening a second ruble account in "Gazprombank" as a violation of sanctions against Russia. European officials state that the EU can't allow Moscow to consider payments in euros for russian gas to be made only after conversion into rubles.