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Russian energy giant Gazprom today halted gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria after countries rejected Moscow’s request to pay for supplies in rubles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously ordered “unfriendly” countries to pay for gas in Russian currency – and Gazprom said services would not be restored until they did.
Why is Russia targeting Poland and Bulgaria?
Moscow has not yet said why Poland and Bulgaria are specifically targeted.
The two countries have rejected Moscow’s request to pay for gas in rubles, but so have other EU members. Indeed, the only EU country that offers to pay for its Russian gas in rubles is Hungary.
poland has a long border with Ukraine and has assisted Kiev with military and financial assistance since the beginning of the war. It has also sanctioned 50 Russian oligarchs and companies, including Gazprom.
Bulgaria, once one of Moscow’s closest allies, has condemned the Russian occupation of Ukraine and voted to support European Union sanctions against them. While Bulgaria has been reluctant to provide military weapons to Ukraine, it has provided humanitarian aid during the war.
What is the broader impact?
Whether Russian gas supplies will be depleted, which currently accounts for 40% of natural gas imports European Union Europe can turn to existing gas exporters such as Qatar, Algeria or Nigeria.
Reducing gas supply could shake energy markets and increase gas prices and bills for households and businesses further when the cost of living is already too high.
Hungary is by far the only country that has allies closest to the Kremlin and has been separated from other countries in their stance on Russia’s gas supply.
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