French President Emmanuel Macron stated there are no reasons to give in to President Vladimir Putin’s demands to pay for Russian gas in roubles, Reuters reported.

“All the texts that have been signed are clear. This is forbidden,” Macron stated at a news conference after a European Union summit in Brussels.

“European firms that buy gas and which are operating on European territory have to do so in euros. Therefore, it is not possible today to do what is being demanded, it is not contractual,” added Macron.

Earlier, Putin demanded that Russia must be paid in roubles for gas sold to “unfriendly” countries.

This action has raised concerns of an energy supply crisis and higher prices.

Following this announcement, the US and the European Union stated recently that the US will work to supply 15 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the European Union this year to help it phase out the Russian energy.