Russia blocked gas supplies, Poland and Bulgaria were quickly “saved”

“We will make sure that Gazprom’s decision has the least possible impact on European consumers. Today, the Kremlin once again failed in its bid to divide,” said Ursula von der Leyen. member states. The Russian fossil fuel era in Europe is coming to an end”.

Gazprom announced to stop supplying gas to Bulgaria and Poland after they refused to pay in rubles.

Radio RT Citing a statement issued at the beginning of April 27, Gazprom explained that “as of the end of the business day on April 26, Gazprom Export has not yet received payments in rubles for gas deliveries for the month of the month. 4 from the companies Bulgargaz (Bulgaria) and PGNiG (Poland)”, at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a decree issued on March 31.

In March, Putin said Russia would not accept payments in currencies other than the ruble, in retaliation for Western economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine.

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from neighboring countries of the European Union (EU). Photo: Reuters

However, Ursula von der Leyen warned EU importers that unless the supply contract is denominated in rubles, concessions to demand by the Kremlin and payments in rubles would violate sanctions.

“It would be a violation of sanctions, bringing high risks to companies,” the EC president said. According to Ursula von der Leyen, “about 97 percent” of EU contracts specify payments using euros or dollars.

Officials said the bloc’s energy ministers would meet to discuss the situation on May 2.

On the same day Russia officially blocked gas supplies to the two European countries, President Putin warned that outside forces would face a “lightning reaction” with Moscow’s most advanced weapons if they intervened in the conflict. conflict in Ukraine.

Gas flows to Poland and Bulgaria were cut off because these two countries refused to follow the ruble payment mechanism proposed by Gazprom. Photo: Reuters

Putin explained the statement during a meeting of Russia’s parliament on April 27: “If someone decides to interfere in ongoing events from the outside and create unacceptable strategic threats, For us, they should know that our response to incoming attacks will be lightning fast.”

Radio RT quoted President Putin as saying that the Russian authorities had made all the necessary decisions to prepare for the lightning response mentioned above.

Moscow has repeatedly criticized and opposed the aid of Western countries with lethal weapons to Kiev, saying that this only destabilizes the situation and hinders the prospects for peace.