China News Service, May 21 (Reuters) - Germany and Italy have told companies after discussions with the European Union that they can open ruble accounts to continue buying Russian gas without violating sanctions on Russia, sources said.
Germany has been coordinating closely with the EU with a view to taking action on the issue, the sources said.
Italy's prime minister's office declined to comment.
Currently, Poland, Bulgaria and Finland refuse to comply with Russia's demands and their gas supplies are cut off.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on the 19th that about half of the 54 companies that have signed gas supply contracts with Gazprom have opened payment accounts in rubles.