European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today described cutting gas supplies from Russia to Poland and Bulgaria as “blackmail”, but said the bloc was “preparing” for a lack of supply following a statement by President Vladimir Putin’s government.
The statement regarding the cut was made yesterday by the Gazprom company, claiming that the company did not receive payments in rubles from two EU member states (European Union).
Gazprom’s announcement is nothing but an attempt by Russia to blackmail us with gas. We are ready for this scenario. We describe an EU-wide coordinated response. Europeans can count on our unity and solidarity with the affected Member States.
Ursula says leanPresident of the European Commission
Bulgaria and Poland refused to pay for supplies in Russian currency. Russia has been made to countries considered “enemy” by Russia in order to protect the value of the Russian Ruble from the sanctions imposed since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24.
According to the Bloomberg news agency, a person close to Gazprom said that four European buyers have already paid in rubles for Russian gas.
Bulgaria also condemns ‘unacceptable blackmail’
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Pettkov today denounced “unacceptable blackmail” after Russian group Gazprom suspended gas supplies to the country and Poland, both of which are members of the European Union (EU).
Petkov said the decision “constitutes a serious breach of contract” because these countries did not pay rubles for supplies, as Russia had requested in response to Western sanctions.
“We will not succumb to such blackmail,” he said.
* With information from AFP
source: Noticias
