Poland and Bulgaria are now receiving gas flows from neighboring countries, Commission President Ursula von der Layen said hours after supplies to the two countries were cut off by Russia’s Gazprom.
“The Kremlin blackmail is not a surprise to us. It is something the Commission has been preparing for. Our response will be immediate, common and coordinated,” she told a news conference.
“We will ensure that Gazprom’s decision has the least possible impact on EU consumers. Poland and Bulgaria now receive gas from their neighbors in the EU,” added von der Leyen.
We will ensure that Gazprom’s decision has the least possible impact on EU consumers.⁰
🇵🇱🇧🇬 are now receiving gas from their EU neighbors.
@EU_Commission will also intensify its work with the regional groups of Member States that can provide immediate solidarity to each other. pic.twitter.com/6Pc7yGkzOQ– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 27, 2022
“This shows the solidarity between us, but also the effectiveness of past investments, such as interconnections and other gas infrastructure,” he said.
It is noted that from early today there was a jump in gas flows through the Yamal pipeline from Germany to Poland.
According to a Greek source told Reuters, Athens could help Sofia by reversing the flow of the TurkStream pipeline, a mechanism that has been used in the past. According to information, two LNG deliveries to Bulgaria are scheduled for May.
Ms. von der Leyen said that in the medium term the Commission will continue its work to ensure adequate gas supply and storage.
“The European Action Plan REPowerEU will help us significantly reduce our dependence on Russian fossil fuels as early as this year. We have also secured an agreement with the US on the supply of extra liquefied natural gas (LNG) this year and next. “We are working hand in hand with member states to secure alternative sources of gas supply from other partners,” he added.
The President of the Commission also stated that in mid-May the plan for accelerating the green transition will be presented.
“Russia’s latest offensive reminds us that we need to work with credible partners and build our energy independence,” said von der Leyen, noting that the French presidency would convene an EU Energy Council as soon as possible. .
He concluded by saying that “the Kremlin has again failed in its attempt to divide the member states” and that “the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end”.
“Violation of sanctions payments in rubles”
Asked about the payments in rubles by some Russian gas importers, Ursula von der Leyen said this was a “violation” of sanctions against Moscow.
“About 97% of all contracts provide for payments in dollars or euros. It is clear that Russia’s request to be paid in rubles is a unilateral decision and does not comply with the contracts. Companies with such contracts should not give in to Russia’s demands. “Such a thing would be a violation of sanctions with a high risk for companies,” he stressed.
It is worth noting, however, that according to a person close to the Russian energy giant Gazprom quoted by Bloomberg, four European gas managers have already paid in rubles, while a total of ten European companies have opened the relevant Gazprombank accounts.
Finally, Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU is working intensively on the 6th package of sanctions, which will include the issue of oil and is expected to be approved soon. According to the president of the Commission, today’s move by the Kremlin is a move that hits Moscow itself and the Russian economy, because it loses significant revenues.
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Source: Capital
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