LAST UPDATE: 14.20
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov on Wednesday denied allegations that Moscow was using gas supplies as a tool of blackmail after Russian energy giant Gazprom cut off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Gazprom’s announcement was another attempt by Russia to use natural gas as a means of extortion.
“This is not blackmail, Russia has been and remains a reliable supplier of energy to its customers, and Russia remains committed to its contractual obligations,” Peshkov said. “The new approach is a response to the theft of foreign exchange reserves,” he added.
“This need has been dictated by the fact that a significant part of our reserves has been blocked or, to put it another way, it has been stolen, and all this necessitates a move to a new payment system. That is why it is not blackmail. The new payment system has “We strongly disagree with the definition of blackmail,” Peshkov said.
Peshkov also declined to say how many countries had agreed to switch to paying for gas in rubles, according to a decree issued last month by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As for the possibility of a reduction in revenues in the event that Europe abandons Russian gas, Peshkov said that “everything has been calculated, all the risks have been foreseen.” According to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, Peshkov also noted that “the payment of gas in rubles will be the basis for the resumption of supplies from Russia.” Peshkov again warned that those who refuse to pay in rubles for gas will be cut off in accordance with the presidential decree.
Putin has no plans to talk about gas with EU leaders
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet scheduled telephone talks on the gas issue with EU leaders, Peshkov said.
“No, there are no such plans,” Peshkov told reporters when asked if Putin had scheduled talks with EU leaders, including those who are no longer supplied with gas.
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Source: Capital
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