On Wednesday, Russia shut off natural gas supplies to NATO allies Poland and Bulgaria and threatened, to use its most important export to punish and split the West for its support for Ukraine.
The action, denounced as “blackmail” by European leaders, marks a major escalation in the economic war of sanctions and countersanctions that has played out alongside the combat on the battlefield.
The plan, which comes a day after the United States and other Western allies threatened to send more and heavier weaponry to Ukraine, might eventually compel targeted countries to ration gas and inflict further damage to economies already struggling with rising costs. At the same time, it may deprive Russia of much-needed revenue to sustain its military effort.
Poland has been a significant conduit for the transport of arms to Ukraine, and it revealed this week that it will be sending tanks to the nation. Poland announced additional sanctions against Russia’s national energy behemoth Gazprom and other Russian corporations and billionaires just hours before it acted.
Bulgaria, under a new liberal government that took office last autumn, severed many of its previous relations with Moscow and backed punitive measures against the Kremlin. It has also hosted Western fighter planes at a new NATO facility on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.
The gas restrictions do not instantly put the two countries in jeopardy. Poland, in particular, has been striving for many years to secure more suppliers, and the continent is approaching summer, making gas less necessary for houses.
Furthermore, Russian gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria were anticipated to halt later this year. Nonetheless, the shutdown and the Kremlin’s threat that other nations may be next sent shivers down the European Union’s 27-member spine. Germany, the continent’s largest economy, and Italy are among Europe’s main importers of Russian natural gas, but both have taken measures to minimize their reliance on Moscow.
“Ultimately, the decision is obvious, in favor of independence and dignity over gas,” Todorov said, adding that a shortage of gas “cannot be compared to the misery and trials that the Ukrainian people are presently experiencing.”
Europe has its own leverage since it pays Russia $400 million a day for gas, money Putin would lose if the supply was completely shut off. In principle, Russia might export its oil to other countries, such as India and China. However, in other areas, it lacks the requisite pipelines, and its capacity to export gas by ship is restricted.
“Russia’s move today is essentially a move in which Russia damages itself,” von der Leyen added.
