Poland says Russia warned gas supplies to stop on Wednesday

Russian energy giant Gazprom told Poland’s PGNiG that it will stop gas supplies along the Yamal pipeline from Wednesday morning, PGNiG said in a statement, although the Polish government said it had sufficient reserves. .

Earlier, data from the European Union’s network of gas transport operators showed that physical flows of gas through the Yamal-Europe pipeline from Belarus to Poland had stopped but resumed on Tuesday.

Poland’s energy supply is secure, Poland’s climate ministry said on Tuesday, adding that there is no need to extract gas from gas reserves and that gas for consumers will not be cut off.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that countries he calls “hostile” after his invasion of Ukraine agree to implement a scheme under which they would open Gazprombank accounts and make payments for Russian gas imports in euros or dollars that would be converted. in rubles.

Gazprom said on Tuesday that Poland would need to start making payments under a new scheme from Tuesday. It did not elaborate and did not comment on the PGNiG statement on the possible interruption of gas supply.

Poland, whose gas deal with Russia expires later this year, has repeatedly said it would not abide by the new gas payment scheme. He also said he would not extend the contract.

Poland’s contract with Gazprom is for 10.2 billion cubic meters per year and covers about 50% of national consumption.

PGNiG said on Tuesday that it would take steps to re-establish gas flow in accordance with Yamal’s contract and that any interruption in supply was a breach of that contract.

He added that he has the right to claim damages for breach of contract.

On Tuesday, Poland announced a list of 50 Russian oligarchs and companies, including Gazprom, that would be subject to sanctions under a law passed earlier this month that allows for the freezing of their assets. The law is separate from sanctions imposed jointly by EU countries.