Poland, Bulgaria Get Gas From EU Neighbours After Russia Halt
Russia-Ukraine war: Gazprom has announced the halt of gas to both Poland and highly dependent Bulgaria after not receiving payment in rubles from the two EU members.
Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours after Russia's state energy giant Gazprom turned off the taps, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday.
"We will ensure that Gazprom's decision has the least possible impact on European consumers," von der Leyen said.
"Today, the Kremlin failed once again in its attempt to sow division among member states. The era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end."
Gazprom has announced the halt of gas to both Poland and highly dependent Bulgaria after not receiving payment in rubles from the two EU members.
President Vladimir Putin said last month that Russia would no longer accept payments in currencies other than the ruble in retaliation for the West's economic sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen warned EU importers that, unless a supply contract was denominated in rubles, giving in to the Kremlin's demand and paying in rubles would contravene sanctions.
"This would be a breach of the sanctions, so a high risk for the companies," she said.
She said that "about 97 percent" of all EU contracts explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars.
Officials said energy ministers from across the bloc will meet on Monday to discuss the situation.
"We will ensure that Gazprom's decision has the least possible impact on European consumers," von der Leyen said.
"Today, the Kremlin failed once again in its attempt to sow division among member states. The era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end."
Gazprom has announced the halt of gas to both Poland and highly dependent Bulgaria after not receiving payment in rubles from the two EU members.
President Vladimir Putin said last month that Russia would no longer accept payments in currencies other than the ruble in retaliation for the West's economic sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen warned EU importers that, unless a supply contract was denominated in rubles, giving in to the Kremlin's demand and paying in rubles would contravene sanctions.
"This would be a breach of the sanctions, so a high risk for the companies," she said.
She said that "about 97 percent" of all EU contracts explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars.
Officials said energy ministers from across the bloc will meet on Monday to discuss the situation.
Comments
Oh ya 4 year ago
Well NATO and America cut Russia off the SWIFT system so Euros and USD are no good to them so what does Europe expect plus Russia knows exactly how much gas each country uses from previous billings so all they have to do is only ship that amount of gas, if Poland and Bulgaria pull some out of the pipe before it gets to Germany then Germany will be short of gas and you can bet they will not be happy. so Russia is still in the drivers seat .