Hungary: 9 other EU countries have opened accounts in Russian Banks

The head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's office, Gergely Gulyas said on Sunday that apart from Hungary, nine other European countries have opened accounts in Russian banks in accordance with Russia's scheme to accept gas payments in rubles.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday that several European gas suppliers to Russia have agreed to new payment terms in rubles, but are keeping it quiet and disseminating misleading information about Hungary's attitude on the subject.

"Hungary has opened a euro account, to which a gas price is credited in euro, and then a bank converts it into rubles... Beside us, nine other countries are doing the same, but they do not admit they are doing the same, just because in Europe 'being good for Europe' now means that the leadership of the country is not speaking honestly with its people and internationally," Gulyas told Hungarian broadcaster Kossuth Radio. 

Russian Gazprom said on Wednesday that four European gas buyers have already paid for gas deliveries from Russia, complying with the Kremlin's resolution to only accept rubles in exchange for Russian gas.

Under the new scheme proposed by Moscow, Gazprombank will open special foreign currency and ruble accounts for foreign customers. Buyers will be able to transfer funds in the currencies specified in their gas contracts. Gazprombank will then sell the funds on the Moscow Exchange and then transfer rubles to the gas buyers' ruble accounts, after which the buyers will then use these funds to pay Gazprom.