Russia cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday after two NATO members refused to pay for gas in the ruble.
Moscow’s state-owned energy company Gazprom confirmed on April 27 statement Polish gas company PGNiG and Bulgaria have completely stopped exporting gas to Bulgaria. This is a move that has been accused of “blackmail” by European leaders.
The European Commission immediately accused Russia of using gas exports to European customers as a means of extortion and said it was “prepared for this scenario.”
“This latest positive move by Russia reminds us of the need to work with trusted partners to build energy independence,” said Ursula von der Reyen, President of the European Commission. It states as follows. statementHe added that both NATO member states are currently receiving gas from neighboring EU countries.
The Kremlin said other countries could also cut off gas supplies if they disagree with the payment arrangements. Russian President Vladimir Putin last month ordered buyers from “unfriendly” countries to buy gas in rubles instead of dollars or euros.
Most EU member states have rejected this request, but it is not clear how many countries have actually faced it at the moment of the decision so far. For example, the next scheduled payment to Gazprom in Greece is scheduled for May 25, and the government must decide whether to comply with it.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov described Gazprom’s announcement as “a serious breach of their contract and a blackmail for using a non-contractual plan to pay in the ruble through a third party.” ..
Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Moravietski told his parliament that he believes Poland’s support for Ukraine and the new sanctions imposed by Warsaw on Tuesday are the real reason behind the gas cut.
Poland is the main gateway to the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and has confirmed that it is sending national tanks this week. Just hours before Gazprom acted, Poland announced a series of new sanctions against the company and other Russian companies and oligarchs.
Russia is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, accounting for 17% of the world’s natural gas and 12% of oil, and Europe’s largest oil supplier, with just over a quarter of oil (more than a quarter of oil). 26%) is supplied. EU oil imports in 2020, according to data from Brock’s Bureau of Statistics Eurostat.
Germany and Italy, the continent’s largest economies, are one of Europe’s largest consumers of Russia’s natural gas, although they have taken steps to reduce their dependence on Moscow.
The Kremlin’s request for buyers to buy gas in the ruble could help strengthen the value of the weakened Russian currency in Western sanctions in response to the invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
from NTD News
follow