Poland and Bulgaria have accused Moscow of "blackmail" after the Russian energy giant Gazprom said it had cut off gas exports to the countries.
The company also warned the countries - which are transit states for Russian gas - that any unauthorised withdrawal of gas intended for other European nations would see supplies reduced by an equivalent amount. But Poland's prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki says cutting gas supplies is retaliation for Tuesday's announcement of Polish sanctions on 50 Russian individuals and companies, including Gazprom.
And pipeline capacity with neighbouring EU countries is increasing. Forward thinking means Poland's gas storage is about three quarters full and consumer demand is lower over spring and summer. Bulgarian Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said Russia was using gas as a "political and economic weapon in the current war".
She added that the bloc was "prepared for this scenario" and that European leaders have been working to "ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU".
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out what he really says he says any strategy from the west not nukes strategy wise will be met with well basically deadly force so that interpret is not very good at all he is getting fed up with the west helping Ukraine he is
How can it be black mail? The west have blocked them accessing bank accounts that pay dollars so they can't collect fees for gas, they said those wanting gas need to pay In Rubles, that was months ago, those two countries refuse to pay in rubles so like the gas board would cut of
What the hell does Poland expect? Russia can do what they want with this own energy.
U thought Russia was being cancelled why complain now ?
Still many other countries in the EU that can help Poland and Bulgaria. Share the wealth ie Gas
So where do Poland and Bulgaria meet their immediate requirement from? Algeria, Qatar?
Russia is weaponizing energy export. Poland predicted this years ago. Already told Russia it won't buy its gas later this year. Alternative LNG is online, Norway pipe will be online soon. Polish reserves filled to 80%. Weather is warming up, gas demand down. Poland has won again!
What did anyone expect? It was only a matter of geopolitics and time.