Elise Denjean, edited by Solène Leroux 11:08 a.m., April 01, 2022

A standoff is now engaged between the Europeans and Russia.

Vladimir Putin plans to cut off the arrival of Russian gas on Friday, if Europe does not pay in rubles.

For its part, the latter believes that it is in its right, since the contracts signed with Gazprom provide for payments in dollars or euros.

TO ANALYSE

We can expect a long conflict in Ukraine.

For Europeans, we must also prepare to do without Russian gas.

Vladimir Putin threatens to turn off the tap this Friday, April 1 if they refuse to pay the bill in rubles.

A showdown against a background of liar poker, it's who will crack first.

Europe considers itself in its right since the contracts signed with Gazprom, the Russian gas supplier, provide for payments in dollars or euros.

But what are they worth in legal terms?

Europe 1 takes stock.

"Russian law prevails over the contract"

"The vast majority of energy contracts are subject to arbitration clauses. So that means that in the event of a dispute, the question of the primacy of Russian law over the contract will be discussed before a arbitral tribunal", explains Olivier Dorgans, specialist in international law.

"The contracts, indeed, are in euro currency", he continues at the microphone of Europe 1. But for all that, "President Putin has issued a decree which comes to oblige the reimbursement of Russian debts held against European debtors in rubles in the gas sector", which implies that "Russian law prevails over the contract".

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According to the specialist, "this will not prevent European debtors from possibly suing Russian counterparties to seek compensation for the damage they may suffer".