EU accuses Russia of 'blackmail' as it cuts gas tap to Poland and Bulgaria
European leaders on Wednesday branded Russia's announcement it is cutting off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria as "blackmail".
Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas company, informed both EU countries on Tuesday that it would halt gas supplies after they refused to pay for the deliveries in roubles — a measure Moscow imposed on so-called "unfriendly" foreign buyers in response to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
About half of Poland's imported gas comes from Russia, according to Forum Energii, a think tank. The share rises even further for Bulgaria which gets at least three-quarters of its gas imports from Russia.
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen labeled Gazprom's decision as "yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail" in a statement on Wednesday morning.
She added that it is "unjustified and unacceptable" but sought to strike a reassuring note, stressing that the 27-country bloc is "prepared for this scenario" and has "put in place contingency plans for just such a scenario and we worked with them in coordination and solidarity."
European Council President Charles Michel, for his part, branded the move "another aggressive unilateral; move by Russia."
He added that he is in contact with Mateusz Morawiecki and Kiril Petkov, respectively Polish and Bulgarian prime ministers.
Petkov said meanwhile that he has been in touch with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of neighbouring Greece to discuss the situation with both vowing to "continue to work together for energy security and diversification."
He also added that they are "confident" that the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) will be completed "on time". The pipeline will allow Bulgaria to be connected to the Southern Caspian Corridor which
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