Russia-Ukraine war: Russia will suspend natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria

Bulgaria says Russia suspending its gas supply poses a “significant risks”

Bulgaria’s energy ministry says Russia suspending its gas supply is a risk to the country, who consumes about 3 billion cubic metres of gas per year and imports more than 90 per cent of it from Russia, Reuters is reporting.

The ministry said Bulgaria has fully fulfilled its obligations under their current contract and has made all payments necessary, and said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for countries to pay in roubles is in breach of the arrangement.

“The new two-stage payment procedure proposed by Russia is not in line with the existing contract until the end of this year and poses significant risks to Bulgaria, including making payments without receiving any gas supplies from the Russian side,” the ministry said.

Bulgaria and Poland’s gas supplies are expected to be suspended on Wednesday after not meeting Putin’s demands.

Where to find yesterday’s blog

Here’s a quick recap of what happened yesterday:

• Russian diplomat says a ceasefire is not a good option now
• Former NATO commander says a ceasefire is not a good option now
• Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas says the world cannot let Putin ‘get away with aggression’
• NATO is ‘engaged in war’ according to Russia’s Foreign Minister
• International Criminal Court joins the team probing alleged war crimes in Ukraine

You can find yesterday’s blog here

Russia has suspended gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, officials say

Gas supplies in Poland and Bulgaria will be suspended on Wednesday after the countries refused to pay for the supplies in Russian roubles.

The Associated Press is reporting that Poland’s state gas company PGNiG was notified by Gazprom

Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin said “unfriendly” foreign buyers would need to pay their state-owned energy provider Gazprom in roubles instead of dollars or euros, but the countries have not obliged.

The demand was apparently intended to help bolster the Russian currency amid the war in Ukraine.

Polish Climate Minister Anna Moskwa said Poland is prepared for the situation after working for years to reduce its reliance on Russian energy sources.

“There will be no shortage of gas in Polish homes,” Ms Moskwa said.

Europe imports large amounts of Russian natural gas to heat homes, generate electricity and fuel industry. The imports have continued despite the war.

Bulgaria is almost completely reliant on Russian gas imports.

Good morning

I’ll be taking you through the live updates for the Ukraine war today.

Let’s jump in.