The Russian energy giant Gazprom announced on Wednesday that it has cut off all gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria for not receiving payments in rubles from the two European Union countries.
In a statement, Gazprom said that it had informed the Bulgarian "Bulgar Gas" and the Polish Oil and Gas Company to "stop gas supplies as of April 27 until the completion of payments" in rubles, after Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that his country will only accept payment for shipments in its national currency.
For its part, the Polish Oil and Gas Company confirmed that Gazprom had cut off Russian gas supplies.
The European Union confirmed that it is "ready" for Russia's suspension of gas supplies to the 27-nation bloc, adding that is planning a "coordinated" response after Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.