Russia’s state oil company, Gazprom, stopped gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria after their refusal to issue payments in roubles. Russia is the main energy supplier to the European Union.
Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, said, “the Kremlin uses fossil fuels to try to blackmail us.” Leyen added, “this is something the European Commission has been preparing for in close coordination and solidarity.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in March that created a process for foreign buyers of gas to pay in roubles. However, the European Commission said the payments would violate E.U. sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Anna Moskwa, Polish Climate and Environment Minister, Poland had planned to end the import of Russian fossil fuels and urges other E.U. counties to do the same.
Bulgaria planned to switch to other alternatives stating it has “taken steps to ensure alternative supplies of natural gas and handle the situation.”
