Belgium said to be fully prepared for cessation of Russian gas supplies
“The situation is quite serious but Belgium is fully prepared.” That is what federal Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten announced after an emergency meeting about the cessation of Russian gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday.
Both countries were denied supplies by the Russian gas company Gazprom after they refused to pay for their gas in Russian rubles. This abrupt change caused the gas price in Europe to soar by a whopping 24 percent. An emergency consultation was scheduled by the EU.
Belgium is also expected to feel the consequences of the threat by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The prices of fossil fuels are rising again putting Belgian families, businesses and our industry under pressure. For the time being, however, there is “no impact on the Belgian supply of natural gas,” Van Der Straeten reassured. 'Belgium is a hub for gas supplies in the European Union, and at 6 percent it has a very small share of Russian gas for its own consumption. Moreover, the port of Zeebrugge is an asset, with more than sufficient capacities to import LNG.
‘Gas as an instrument of blackmail'
Last month, Putin already stated that Russia would only accept payments in rubles for its gas, but according to the EU, this is a breach of the sanctions imposed on the country.
Additionally, the Russian decision to stop gas supply to Bulgaria as well as Poland is remarkable: while Poland has always openly opposed Russian demands for payment in rubles, Bulgaria has always remained on the sidelines of the conflict. The country did not send any weapons or other military aid to Ukraine either.
In the meantime, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called the stop in gas delivery to customers in the EU “yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail.”
In a statement , she called it “unjustified and unacceptable,” and added that it “shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier.”
However, she also stressed that the EU is “prepared for this scenario” and is in close contact with all Member States. “We have been working to ensure alternative deliveries and the best possible storage levels across the EU.”
The EU will continue working with international partners and world leaders to secure alternative flows and 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.”
(AS)
Energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten during a press conference in Mol © Belga Photo Robbe Vandegehuchte