Germany and Italy told companies they could open ruble accounts to keep buying Russian gas without breaching sanctions against Moscow following discussions with the European Union, sources said. The debate over Russia’s demand that foreign buyers pay for gas in rubles has tested the resolve of European governments to take a hard line against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Poland, Bulgaria and Finland have refused to comply with Moscow’s demand that importers pay for gas via ruble accounts with Gazprombank and their supplies have been cut. Other member states, however, have been unwilling to steer companies towards ... (full story)