The European Commission clarified its stance on how European companies can pay for Russian natural gas using the Kremlin-sponsored payment mechanism at Gazprombank without violating EU sanctions, Reuters reported May 16. In the updated guidance sent to member states on May 13, the European Commission said companies can set up an account at Gazprombank and deposit currency in the accounts to pay for Russian gas but must do so in the original currency stipulated in their gas contracts (typically euros), and must consider the transaction complete when the currency is deposited.