Russian gas giant Gazprom cuts gas access to Poland and Bulgaria after they refused to pay up in rubles
By Caitlin McFall | Fox News
Head of the European Union accused Russia of “blackmail” Wednesday after it moved to cut gas access to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay up in rubles.
Russian-owned gas giant, Gazprom, said earlier in the day that it had shut off gas to the two EU nations in retaliation for unpaid energy bills for the month of April when they refused to abide by Moscow’s demands and pay in the Russian currency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the stipulation that all nations must pay gas fees in rubles in late March as an attempt to bolster his flagging economy amid stiff international sanctions.
“The announcement by Gazprom that it is unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail,” EU President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
“This is unjustified and unacceptable. And it shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier,” she added.