As of: 04/27/2022 6:21 p.m.
Russia is threatening to cut off gas supplies to other countries if the ruble is not paid. But anyone who pays directly in rubles is violating EU sanctions, said EU Commission President Van der Leyen.
After the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria was cut off, Russia threatened other countries with similar measures if it did not pay for the gas supply in rubles to the state-owned Gazprom. According to the Interfax news agency, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the relevant order will be implemented. In March, Putin advised that only “friendly countries” including all EU members should pay for Russian gas in rubles.
Peskow has denied allegations made by EU commission chairman Ursula von der Leyen that it was a “plunder”. Russia only requires customers to open accounts with Gazprombank to make payments. Accordingly, they can continue to pay in euros or dollars as before, and the bank will convert that amount and convert the rubles into cash. Pesco said there were no additional burdens, not even by exchange rates.
Gazprom justified the delivery halt to Poland and Bulgaria, both of which did not pay in rubles on time. This was rejected by both countries, who insisted that the agreement had been fulfilled.
EU countries need to help each other in the short term
According to Van der Leyen, the EU is now working to protect European consumers from the effects of the supply cut. “We are committed to ensuring that Gosprom’s decision has a potential impact on European consumers,” said Van der Leyen. “Poland and Bulgaria now receive gas from their EU neighbors.”
EU countries must work together to help each other in the short term. “This will minimize any effects of potential gas interruptions,” Van der Leyen said. The EU Energy Ministers will hold a special meeting soon.
Alternative suppliers in view
At the same time, the Commission cooperates with EU countries on alternative distributions. “We are not surprised that the Kremlin is trying to use fossil fuels to threaten us.” The head of the commission said Russia’s move was a reminder that the EU must become energy independent. The European Union has already signed an agreement with the United States for additional supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) this year and in the years to come. In addition, the commission will present plans to accelerate energy conversion in mid-May.
Van der Leyen: Paying in rubles is a violation of barriers
Van der Leyen made it clear that paying in rubles for the supply of gas would violate EU sanctions if not provided for in the contract. In this case, the companies involved will have to face the consequences. Ninety-seven percent of contracts in the EU explicitly offer payments in euros or dollars. “The demand of the Russian side to pay in rubles does not agree with the unilateral decision and agreements,” said Van der Leyen.
However, the commission previously said that it was allowed to open an account with the Russian Gazprom Bank to pay for gas, as requested by Moscow. Companies can issue a clear statement that their contractual obligations have been fulfilled by making payments to Cosprombank – not only after the conversion into rubles.
Poland prepares itself
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki described the delivery stoppage as a “direct attack” on his country. “This time Russia has pushed the limits of imperialism and gas imperialism one step further,” Moraviki told parliament in Warsaw. Through this move, Russia seeks to avenge the imposition of Polish sanctions on a number of oligarchy and organizations, including the state-owned Cosprom. Poland has an adequate gas supply. The power supply is secure
The Polish government this week confirmed the supply of tanks to the Ukrainian army. In addition, the country is an important transportation destination for arms shipments from the United States and other Western countries to Ukraine.
How Europe reacts to the Russian gas shutdown in Poland and Bulgaria
Michael Grytz, ARD Brussels, Daily News 12:00 pm, April 27, 2022
Bulgaria talks about the threat
Bulgarian Prime Minister Grill Petkov also spoke about the threat. Russia uses natural gas as a political and economic weapon. According to Energy Minister Aleksandar Nikolov, the country’s gas supply will be protected for at least a month. Greece has already offered its assistance, and the connection to the neighboring gas network should be ready by June.
The Yamal Pipeline is one of the three main pipelines supplying natural gas from Russia to Germany. The 4000 km long pipeline runs from the Yamal gas field in Siberia to Otterbruch in Brandenburg via Russia, Belarus and Poland. However, it is less important for the German gas supply than the North Stream 1 and Transcas pipelines.
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