Imposing ruble payments for Russian goods "on the table": Russia FM

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Russia is looking into the possibility of extending the ruble payment requirement for certain types of goods other than natural gas, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova pointed out on Friday.

"As the practice of payments for Russian gas shows, most of our counterparties have agreed to the new format of interaction... With regard to expanding the scope of ruble payments for certain categories of Russian goods, such options are always on the table," Zakharova told a briefing.

The spokesperson added that Moscow has no doubts about the West continuing "to take advantage of its position in the international and financial system, to put it mildly."

Zakharova considered that "[Western countries] will simply continue to manipulate in this area, employing elements of blackmail and intimidation... It is their traditional approach to everyone who is displeasing to them."

She added that Moscow advises all its partners who claim to pursue an independent domestic and foreign policy to draw the necessary conclusions.

Furthermore, Russia intends to maintain the policy of increasing the share of national currencies in trade, economic, and investment relations with its main partners in the future, the Russian official mentioned.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government and national energy giant Gazprom to switch to ruble payments for gas deliveries to the countries that imposed anti-Russian sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Gazprom has already suspended gas deliveries to the importers in Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, and the Netherlands after they rejected the new payment arrangement.