Russia Chokes Natural Gas Supply To Poland, Bulgaria

Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday and threatened to do the same to other countries, dramatically escalating its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine. European leaders decried the move as “blackmail,” Yesica Fisch and Jon Gambrell reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Russia's move to cut off natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria dramatically escalates its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine.

A day after the US and other Western allies vowed to speed more and heavier weapons to Ukraine, the Kremlin used its most essential export as leverage against two of Kyiv’s staunch backers.

Gas prices in Europe shot up on the news. The tactic could eventually force targeted nations to ration gas and deal another blow to economies suffering from rising prices.

At the same time, it could deprive Russia of badly needed income to fund its war effort. Oil and gas pipelines to Europe have been destroyed by missile strikes while Russia itself has few vessels capable of delivering gas and petroleum to China.

Poland has been a major gateway for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and confirmed this week that it is sending the country tanks.

Bulgaria, under a new liberal government that took office last fall, has cut many of its old ties to Moscow and supported sanctions against Russia over its invasion. It has also hosted Western fighter jets at a new NATO outpost on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

The gas cuts do not immediately put the two countries into dire trouble since they have worked on obtaining alternative sources for several years and the continent is heading into summer, making gas less essential for households. Poland, UK’s Daily Express reported, has more than 75 days’ supply of gas and is more dependent on coal.

Nonetheless, it is seeking oil and gas supplies from other countries. Bulgaria gets 90 percent of its gas from Russia but is signing supply deals with other nations. Nonetheless, Bulgaria accused Russia of “blackmail,” as Reuters and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

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