WARSAW, April 26 (Reuters) – Poland’s PGNiG said on Tuesday it had been informed by Russian gas giant Gazprom that it would stop gas deliveries through the Yamal pipeline from Wednesday morning, a decision that Warsaw has denounced. indicated to have sufficient reserves.
Data from European Union gas network operators showed reduced flows during the day via the Yamal gas pipeline linking Belarus to Poland.
Poland’s energy supply is assured, the Warsaw Climate Minister said, adding that there was no need to dip into gas reserves and that consumer access would not be interrupted.
Amid tensions with Westerners over the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked countries deemed “unfriendly” to pay for gas deliveries in rubles via a new system.
Gazprom said during the day that Poland had to start complying with the new payment method immediately. The Russian giant did not give further details and did not mention the press release from PGNiG mentioning the possible stoppage of gas deliveries.
While the contract with Russia is initially due to expire at the end of the year, Poland has repeated that it will not comply with Russian demands regarding payment terms. She also indicated that she would not extend this contract.
In a press release, PGNiG denounced Gazprom’s decision, judging it a breach of contract, and indicated that it intended to take measures to restore these gas supplies and was entitled to seek compensation.
Earlier in the day, Warsaw published a list of 50 Russian oligarchs and companies, including Gazprom, targeted by sanctions to freeze their assets under a law adopted this month. This is a separate measure from the sanctions taken in coordination with the other countries of the European Union. (Report Alan Charlish, Joanna Plucinska, Marek Strzelecki and Nora Buli; French version Jean Terzian)