English Section

Poland will take legal action over Russia’s gas cutoff: president

27.04.2022 18:30
The Polish president has vowed to take legal action against Russian energy firm Gazprom over its decision to halt deliveries of gas to Poland.
Polands President Andrzej Duda speaks to reporters during a visit to Prague on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks to reporters during a visit to Prague on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Andrzej Duda made the declaration during a visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The president told the media: “We’ll take appropriate legal action against Gazprom for its failure to honour the contract for the supply of gas to Poland.”

He added: “I can assure my compatriots that there won’t be any shortage of gas supplies. We’ll deal with it, including through cooperation with our European partners.”

Russia shuts off gas supply to Poland

Russia’s Gazprom suspended its gas deliveries to Poland from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, officials told reporters. 

The Russian energy giant cited Poland's "refusal to pay for the gas in roubles” as a reason for its move, Polish state gas company PGNiG said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month ordered foreign buyers to pay for gas in the Russian currency or else have the supplies cancelled, according to news outlets.  

Poland's Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said on Wednesday that Gazprom was "in breach of contract."

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called Russia’s move “a direct attack on Poland.”

Polish, Czech presidents meet in Prague

While in Prague on Wednesday, the Polish president was hosted by his Czech counterpart Miloš Zeman.

Afterwards, Duda thanked Zeman “for condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in unequivocal terms and for taking all measures … to stop this aggression.”

Polish military aid to Ukraine at PLN 7 bn so far: president

The Polish president hailed Czech assistance to war-torn Ukraine, adding that his own country "has so far provided PLN 7 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) in military aid alone.”

Duda said: “Ukraine really needs this aid - and we spare no expense in providing it."

Meanwhile, Zeman praised Poland for its support for Ukraine, adding that Poland "has become the main defender of European values.” 

During their private meeting, the two presidents discussed ways to coordinate the assistance flowing from Warsaw and Prague to Poland’s embattled eastern neighbour, reporters were told.

EU funds for refugee support

Duda and Zeman also talked about support for refugees who had fled the Russian invasion to Poland and the Czech Republic.

Later, the Polish president told the media: “Both Poland and the Czech Republic, countries which have accepted refugees, deserve assistance from the European Union; it is completely incomprehensible to me that this assistance to our countries from the EU institutions is currently not provided.”

Strengthening NATO’s eastern flank

Duda and Zeman explored the role of NATO, ahead of the alliance’s summit in Madrid, Spain, in June, PAP reported.

The Polish president told reporters in Prague that NATO must bolster its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, by turning its “enhanced forward presence” into “enhanced forward defence,” with more troops and infrastructure, according to PAP.

Talks with Czech PM

During his visit to Prague on Wednesday, Duda also met with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to discuss the two countries’ aid to Ukraine, officials said.

Fiala is due to visit Poland on Friday for talks on energy security, including a proposed Polish-Czech gas pipeline known as Stork II, the PAP news agency reported.

Wednesday was day 63 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Poland on Wednesday reported it had admitted 2.98 million refugees fleeing Russia's war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAPprezydent.pl