EU Commission President Von der Leyen said Poland and Bulgaria, where Russia has cut off its gas, will receive gas from its European neighbours, adding that “the Russian fossil fuel era in Europe is over.” Stating that the EU has created an emergency plan in the face of Russian blackmail, Leyen said European firms should not bow to pressure to pay in Russian currency.
Russian energy company Gazprom said it was halting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after refusing to make payments in rubles. Warsaw and Sofia have informed themselves that gas supplies have stopped from Wednesday, while the EU has called Russia’s move ‘Blackmail’
CONTRACTUAL AND ONE-PARTY
While there is talk that Russia will take similar steps for other European countries, EU Commission President von der Leyen said Russia’s request to pay rubles is a unilateral decision that is against contracts.
VETERANS TO RECEIVE FROM THEIR EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURS
Poland and Bulgaria, where Russia has cut off supplies, will receive the gas from their European neighbours, Leyen said. The Russian fossil fuel era in Europe is over.”
DO NOT BOW TO RUBLE PRESSURE
European firms should not bow to pressure to pay in the Russian currency, Leyen said, underlining that this would be a violation of sanctions and that companies should not take that risk.
EMERGENCY PLAN CREATED
Leyen also stated that it is working to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU regarding natural gas. A meeting of the gas coordination group is currently taking place. We will also continue to work with international partners to secure alternative flows. We will also continue to work with European and world leaders to ensure the security of energy supply in Europe. Europeans can believe that we stand in solidarity and solidarity with the member states affected by this new challenge and can count on our full support.”
PESKOV EXPLAINS
Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov told reporters about russian gas payments that making payments in rubles would not affect the price in any way. “As the deadline for gas is approaching, if some consumers refuse to pay under the new system, then of course President Vladimir Putin’s decision comes into play. If some countries decide to pay for the gas they buy in rubles, gas shipments to these countries may resume.” Peskov also noted that there has been no contact with Poland and Bulgaria, adding that there are several countries that have agreed to pay for gas in rubles.
IT’S NOT BLACKMAIL
“This is not blackmail, russia has been and continues to be a reliable supplier of energy sources to its consumers,” Peskov said, referring to European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s characterization of Russia’s decision to cut off natural gas as “Blackmail.” Russia remains committed to its obligations under the conventions. The decision of the president to make a new payment method was due to the unprecedented unfriendly steps of countries against us in the field of economy and finance.” Asked whether Russia was ready for these financial consequences if some countries refused to pay in rubles, Peskov said, “Of course everything was calculated, all risks were estimated and necessary measures were taken.”
