Russian gas company Gazprom’s announcement that it halted supplies to some European customers is another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘This is unjustified and unacceptable,’ von der Leyen said.
“The announcement by Gazprom that it is unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail. This is unjustified and unacceptable. And it shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier. We are prepared for this scenario. We are in close contact with all Member States,” the statement reads.
Von der Leyen noted that the European Commission has been working “to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU.”
In this situation, Member States have put in place contingency plans for just such a scenario and worked with them “in coordination and solidarity.”
A meeting of the gas coordination group is taking place on April 27, the statement says, adding that the participants are mapping out a coordinated EU response.
“We will also continue working with international partners to secure alternative flows. And I will continue working with European and world leaders to ensure the security of energy supply in Europe. Europeans can trust that we stand united and in full solidarity with the Member States impacted in the face of this new challenge. Europeans can count on our full support,” von der Leyen stressed.
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