European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacted to the announcement that Russia would stop supplying gas to Poland and Bulgaria by accusing Moscow of using the fuel as “an instrument of blackmail”.
“This is unjustified and unacceptable. It shows once again Russia’s unreliability as a gas supplier,” he said.
According to her, the European Union was already prepared for this scenario and will establish contingency plans so that the member countries of the bloc act in “coordination and solidarity”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the blackmail allegations and maintained Moscow’s position, including imposing the same measure used against Poland and Bulgaria on countries that refuse to pay for gas in rubles.
“Russia was and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources to its customers and remains committed to its contractual obligations,” he said.
Asked about the number of countries that agreed to pay in rubles, Peskov avoided an assertive answer. “As payment deadlines approach, if some consumers refuse to pay under the new system, then the president’s decree will apply.”
The spokesman refers to the measure announced by Vladimir Putin last month that determines that countries he classifies as “hostile” would have to open accounts with Gazprombank to make payments for gas imports in euros or dollars, which would then be converted into rubles.
Only a few buyers, such as Hungary and Uniper, Germany’s main importer, said it was possible to pay for the product under the new rule without European sanctions being violated.
Journalists in Moscow also asked Peskov whether Russia is prepared to deal with potential revenue shortfalls as countries refuse to make payments in rubles. “Everything has been calculated, all risks have been foreseen, and the necessary measures taken,” he said.
