Moscow and Ankara have reached an agreement to switch some payments for Russian natural gas to rubles. The move comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Russia last week and conducted talks with Vladimir Putin.

Avoiding dealing in US dollars is seen by many as a sign of deepening ties between the two nations. The deal also helps Turkey protect its dwindling hard-currency reserves.

Ankara has refused to join Western sanctions, and instead has pushed for truce talks between Moscow and Kiev.