MOSCOW, April 27. /TASS/. At least ten European companies buying Russian natural gas have already opened accounts at Gazprombank needed to meet Russia’s demand to pay in rubles, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

According to a source close to Gazprom, 4 have already made payments.

The source added that next settlements for gas will be made after May 15.

On March 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that lays out a new procedure for paying for gas supplies by buyers from unfriendly countries. Now such states must transfer funds in foreign currencies to Gazprombank, which will buy rubles on exchanges and transfer them to special ruble accounts of importers. It is from these accounts payment for deliveries will be made.