‘Blackmail’ as Kremlin turns gas off

RUSSIA was accused of blackmailing governments and millions of families across Europe by turning off the gas taps yesterday.

The state-owned gas giant Gazprom blocked supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, which initially sent wholesale prices in Europe soaring by up to 20%.

The decision represents a dangerous escalation in the economic war with the West, triggered by the Kremlin’s illegal invasion of its neighbour.

Moscow claimed the halt of natural gas supplies via the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which runs through Belarus, was a result of ‘unfriendly’ actions towards Russia.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said both countries had refused Russian demands to pay in roubles, a move designed to prop up the heavily sanctioned currency.

He warned that other European customers may also see the taps turned off if they too refuse to pay in roubles next time payment is due.

As a result, a number of countries have drawn up plans to ration supplies, which could see major industry and manufacturers ordered to shut down to protect gas for homes and prevent blackouts.

The Russian move is forcing governments across Europe to speed up a switch to alternative supplies. Western officials say that this represents a major strategic failure for Moscow.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s attempts at ‘blackmail’ were doomed to fail. She called it ‘unjustified and unacceptable’ and said it pointed to Russia being an unreliable gas supplier.

EU contingency plans are in place to get gas from alternative sources and maintain maximum gas storage levels. Poland and Bulgaria are already receiving gas via their EU neighbours, including Greece.