EU blasts ‘blackmail’ as Russia cuts gas tap to Poland and Bulgaria

European leaders on Wednesday branded Russia’s announcement it’s slicing off fuel provides to Poland and Bulgaria as “blackmail”.

Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned fuel firm, knowledgeable each EU nations on Tuesday that it might halt fuel provides after they refused to pay for the deliveries in roubles — a measure Moscow imposed on so-called “unfriendly” international patrons in response to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

About half of Poland’s imported fuel comes from Russia, based on Discussion board Energii, a assume tank. The share rises even additional for Bulgaria which will get a minimum of three-quarters of its fuel imports from Russia.

Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen labeled Gazprom’s choice as “one more try by Russia to make use of fuel as an instrument of blackmail” in an announcement on Wednesday morning.

She added that it’s “unjustified and unacceptable” however sought to strike a reassuring observe, stressing that the 27-country bloc is “ready for this situation” and has “put in place contingency plans for simply such a situation and we labored with them in coordination and solidarity.”

European Council President Charles Michel, for his half, branded the transfer “one other aggressive unilateral; transfer by Russia.”

He added that he’s involved with Mateusz Morawiecki and Kiril Petkov, respectively Polish and Bulgarian prime ministers.

Petkov stated in the meantime that he has been in contact with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, chief of neighbouring Greece to debate the state of affairs with each vowing to “proceed to work collectively for power safety and diversification.”

He additionally added that they’re “assured” that the Gasoline Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) shall be accomplished “on time”. The pipeline will permit Bulgaria to be linked to the Southern Caspian Hall which travels by means of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan to each Greek and Italian terminals.

The fuel cuts don’t instantly put the nations into dire bother since they’ve labored on getting various sources for a number of years now and the continent is heading into summer season, making fuel not as important for households.

Nonetheless, it despatched shivers of fear by means of the 27-nation European Union, which instantly convened a particular coordination group to restrict the affect of the transfer.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that different European prospects could also be minimize off if additionally they refuse to pay in roubles.