Moscow, April 1 : Russia has warned European countries that they need to pay for gas in Roubles or the supplies would be cut off. In a bid to boost the Russian currency, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree stating that buyers “must open rouble accounts in Russian banks” from Friday onwards. Now buyers of Russian gas would be required to have accounts at Russia’s Gazprombank and transfer Euros or US dollars into it. Gazprombank would convert these currencies into roubles which will then be used to make the payment for gas. President Putin said that Russia would stick to its obligations on all contracts if Western nations switch to roubles. He clarified that this step was meant to strengthen Russia’s sovereignty. RKM