Russia’s Gazprom considers halting gas to unfriendly countries

Russia’s state oil company Gazprom is considering halting gas supplies to "unfriendly" countries, Russian daily Kommersant reported on Thursday.

The daily cited unnamed sources who said that the energy giant is studying the consequences of halting exportation to some countries. 

"Gazprom ... is indeed working on an option of a complete stoppage of gas supplies to 'unfriendly countries' and is evaluating the consequences of such measures," the newspaper wrote, according to Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Kremlin will soon require "unfriendly" countries to pay for importation of gas and oil in rouble (Russia’s currency), sending shockwaves across the global energy market.

Russia's largest gas client, Germany, said on Wednesday that they will continue to pay Russia in euros or dollars. The government also said that the Russian President told the German Chancellor that European partners will continue to pay as they were.