BERLIN, (Reuters) – European oil companies may open accounts with Gazprombank in order to purchase Russian gas. If they fulfill their contractual obligations by transferring dollars or euros to them, this will not violate sanctions.

Russia has cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria this week because they failed to pay in Russian rubles. This raises fears about other countries following Russia’s actions.

Moscow decree states that Gazprombank will open “K” accounts to receive gas payments from international buyers. EU companies would first transfer money into an account. Then, a Russian bank would change the currency and convert the funds to roubles.

There is still disagreement within the European Union about whether sanctions should be lifted if countries engage in a payment request for Russia’s rubles.

Russia stipulated in its decree that the buyer could only fulfill his obligation when Gazprom receives the roubles.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Germany’s Economy Ministry claimed that the European Guidelines on Payment Modities are what form our framework.

These guidelines state that account K to which payments are made in dollars/euros is compliant with sanctions. Companies who declare they have fulfilled contracts with money in dollars or euros will be subject to the same restrictions.

Sources within government said it didn’t really matter in what country the K account is opened, as long as the bank was not on any list of countries that have been sanctioned.

According to a Commission official, the European Commission will give additional advice to EU countries about whether or not they are allowed to continue paying for Russian oil without breaking any bloc sanctions.