Italian Premier Mario Draghi said Thursday that he had received assurances from Russia's leader that Europe would not have to pay for natural gas in rubles as demanded, similar to pledges that Germany received, and diffused fears that Moscow would cut off supplies that are used for heating and electricity.
Draghi said Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him during a 40-minute phone call Wednesday evening that “existing contracts remain in force. ... European companies will continue to pay in dollars and euros.”
