Russia has been facing a backlash from countries across the globe for its unprovoked invasion in Ukraine that triggered Western sanctions that were imposed on Moscow. But now in response to the sanctions, Russia has now cut natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. The announcement was made by Gazprom, the Russian state energy giant on April 27, 2022. The statement released by the Russian company said that the supplies has been halted completely to the PGNiG, the Polish gas company and Bulgargaz of Bulgaria after they refused to complete the demand by Moscow to pay in rubles instead of euros and dollars.
Meanwhile, the European commission called the move by Russia as an attempted blackmail. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said that the Europeans can trust that they can stand united and in complete solidarity with the member states who are facing the impact due to the current situation. The PGiNG in a statement said that it was informed by Gazprom that the supply through the Yamal pipeline would remain suspended starting from April 27, 2022. Gazprom also informed Bulgargaz that it would shut down the gas supplies from Wednesday. The ministry opined that the payment in rubbles was unacceptable as it posed significant risks to Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, Reports say that Bulgaria has completed its obligations by making all the essential payments as per the contract in a timely manner and in accordance with the provisions. Due to this situation the gas prices in Europe went up to nearly 20 percent in the morning on Wednesday. Last month, Russia had given out a message to some of its unfriendly nations that they will have to make payments in rubles starting from April 1 or will have to be at risk being cut off from the vital supplies. However, still the flow of gas continued until Wednesday.
As for now the gas crisis management group of the European Union will be meeting on April 27, 2022 to discuss about the alternative supplies.
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