Russia halted gas supply to Poland (Representative image of Kanchurinsko-Musinsky gas storage complex in Bashkortostan, Russia)|Oleg Bor|CC BY 4.0
Russia has done what the EU and the US feared since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion.
The Kremlin on Wednesday stopped its gas supply to Poland—a NATO and EU member that received gas under the Yamal contract.
Poland is an active Ukraine supporter in the EU and imposed several sanctions on the Kremlin for its invasion of Kyiv.
Russia’s resources for Poland contribute to about 50% of the nation’s gas consumption.
Poland's gas supply contract with the energy giant Gazprom is for 10.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year.
Bulgaria may be next
Russia had also warned to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria—a fellow EU and NATO member. An update is not yet available regarding the country’s gas supply.
The Kremlin and its ‘unfriendly’ countries
Poland and Bulgaria refused to comply with Moscow’s demand to pay for the resources in roubles.
Russia’s largest natural gas company Gazprom informed Poland and Bulgaria that they would halt the gas supply to their ‘unfriendly’ countries if they do not accept their rules of payment.
Ukraine accused Russia of blackmailing its allies. Russia has not yet captured any major city since the beginning of the invasion.
The backup plan
The Polish government said they ‘will manage’ by obtaining natural gas from other sources. The country’s present gas storage is 76% full.
Bulgaria, which relies on Russia for more than 90% of its resources, said they saw this coming and are looking for alternative sources.
The country held initial talks with Turkey and Greece to import liquified natural gas.
