Friday, March 29

Brussels accuses Russia of trying to blackmail the EU with gas


Of “unjustified” and “unacceptable”. This is how he rated the Chairwoman of the European Comission, Ursula von der Leyenthe announcement of the Russian state gas company, Gazprom, that it will cut from this Wednesday the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria after the refusal of both countries to carry out the ruble payments. “It is another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail” and shows “once again” that “Russia is not reliable as a gas supplier”, the German warned in a statement in which it also recalls that the Union Europe is prepared for such a scenario.

The same message has been sent from Warsaw or Sofia, the first two countries to be affected by the interruption of supply. The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, has warned from the parliament tribune that Gazprom’s decision supposes “a direct attack on Poland” but has made it clear that they are prepared. According to the Polish state gas company, PGNiG, the decision of the Russian gas giant – the subject of an investigation by the Community Executive for possible distortions of competition and anti-competitive conduct – represents a breach of contract therefore, they will take the appropriate measures to restore deliveries under the conditions agreed by contract, although the measure will not have an immediate impact.

“The situation does not affect the current supplies of PGNiG customers who receive fuel according to their demand,” he said in a statement. The Bulgarian government has also explained that the supply to Bulgarian homes is guaranteed for at least one month and has accused Moscow of using this supply as “another political weapon in the current war”, the energy minister has charged, Alexander Nikolavwhose country is 90% dependent on Russian gas supplies under long-term contracts set to expire at the end of this year.

Also Read  Elizabeth II reappears in the tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh after six months of absence due to health problems

European coordination

Despite this Russian decision, the European UnionVon der Leyen has said, is prepared for “this scenario” and is in contact with all member states to give a “coordinated response” to the president’s decision Vladimir Putin of not accepting payments in euros. In fact, a meeting of the gas coordination group that brings together the experts of the Twenty-seven, von der Leyen has reported. “Member States have put in place contingency plans for a scenario like this and we work with them in coordination and solidarity. We are drawing up a coordinated response from the EU”, the Community Executive has pointed out.

Related news

“Russia mistakenly believes that it is having a great time removing our partners Poland and Bulgaria from their payable gas according to the rules, in euros, and not as President Putin wishes, in rubles. But we stand united against this blackmail and will speed up the gradual reduction of dependence on Russia,” the Slovak Prime Minister warned on Tuesday. Edward Heger. Also the Austrian Chancellor Karl Newhammer has jumped to the fore to deny that Austria has decided to pay in rubles and cut off the spread of false news. Austria, he has told her, “will continue to pay for gas deliveries from Russia in euros. Austria follows jointly agreed EU sanctions to the letter,” she recalled.

The European Commission has been working and negotiating with alternative providers of natural gas for months, such as United States, Qatar either Algeria, to raise the level of storage in the EU and reduce dependence on gas from Russia, from where it currently imports 155 bcm, 40% of the gas consumed by the EU. The strategy proposed at the end of March is in fact committed to increasing the gas stored in the underground deposits of the EU up to 90% by October 1 with the aim of facing the next winter with guarantees.

Also Read  Ángel Hernández's brutal Brewers-Phillies game confirmed by data


www.elperiodico.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *