The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 31 that he had signed a decree saying foreign buyers must pay in rubles for Russian gas from April 1. (Video: Reuters)

European leaders reject Putin’s demand to buy gas in rubles

1 min

This live coverage has ended. For Friday’s live updates, click here.

European leaders on Thursday rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand that “unfriendly countries” pay for natural gas in rubles, an apparent bid to help stabilize the Russian currency amid sanctions over the war in Ukraine.  
Key updates
Skip to end of carousel
Officials and aid workers say they are preparing to evacuate more civilians from the port city of Mariupol on Friday.
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are set to resume talks online Friday, head Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said.
The Russian general some call the “Butcher of Mariupol” earned a reputation for brutality in Syria.
A Ukrainian official said Russian soldiers are withdrawing from the “main part” of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site.
The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel for updates.
End of carousel
Skip to end of carousel
Officials and aid workers say they are preparing to evacuate more civilians from the port city of Mariupol on Friday.
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are set to resume talks online Friday, head Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said.
The Russian general some call the “Butcher of Mariupol” earned a reputation for brutality in Syria.
A Ukrainian official said Russian soldiers are withdrawing from the “main part” of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site.
The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel for updates.
End of carousel
11:00 p.m. EDT
11:00 p.m. EDT
8:59 p.m. EDT
8:59 p.m. EDT
8:35 p.m. EDT
8:35 p.m. EDT
8:17 p.m. EDT
8:17 p.m. EDT
6:09 p.m. EDT
6:09 p.m. EDT
Live updates continue below
6:05 p.m. EDT
6:05 p.m. EDT
4:23 p.m. EDT
4:23 p.m. EDT
3:56 p.m. EDT
3:56 p.m. EDT
3:38 p.m. EDT
3:38 p.m. EDT
3:23 p.m. EDT
3:23 p.m. EDT
2:41 p.m. EDT
2:41 p.m. EDT
2:25 p.m. EDT
2:25 p.m. EDT
2:11 p.m. EDT
2:11 p.m. EDT
2:06 p.m. EDT
2:06 p.m. EDT
1:34 p.m. EDT
1:34 p.m. EDT
12:59 p.m. EDT
12:59 p.m. EDT
12:48 p.m. EDT
12:48 p.m. EDT
12:23 p.m. EDT
12:23 p.m. EDT
12:03 p.m. EDT
12:03 p.m. EDT
11:51 a.m. EDT
11:51 a.m. EDT
11:35 a.m. EDT
11:35 a.m. EDT
11:15 a.m. EDT
11:15 a.m. EDT
10:53 a.m. EDT
10:53 a.m. EDT
10:29 a.m. EDT
10:29 a.m. EDT
9:52 a.m. EDT
9:52 a.m. EDT
9:00 a.m. EDT
9:00 a.m. EDT
8:40 a.m. EDT
8:40 a.m. EDT
8:20 a.m. EDT
8:20 a.m. EDT
8:00 a.m. EDT
8:00 a.m. EDT
7:40 a.m. EDT
7:40 a.m. EDT
7:10 a.m. EDT
7:10 a.m. EDT
6:58 a.m. EDT
6:58 a.m. EDT
6:50 a.m. EDT
6:50 a.m. EDT
6:30 a.m. EDT
6:30 a.m. EDT
6:10 a.m. EDT
6:10 a.m. EDT
5:50 a.m. EDT
5:50 a.m. EDT
5:30 a.m. EDT
5:30 a.m. EDT
5:15 a.m. EDT
5:15 a.m. EDT
4:50 a.m. EDT
4:50 a.m. EDT
4:15 a.m. EDT
4:15 a.m. EDT
3:44 a.m. EDT
3:44 a.m. EDT
3:13 a.m. EDT
3:13 a.m. EDT
2:40 a.m. EDT
2:40 a.m. EDT
2:08 a.m. EDT
2:08 a.m. EDT
1:37 a.m. EDT
1:37 a.m. EDT
12:49 a.m. EDT
12:49 a.m. EDT
12:49 a.m. EDT
12:49 a.m. EDT