For gas supplies, the EU looks on Israel

• Russia deliberately cut off gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria and Finland, EU official says.
• This is in retaliation for their support to Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen says.
• Moscow’s conduct strengthens EU resolve “to break free of our dependence on Russian fossil fuels,” she says.

In retribution for their backing for Ukraine, Russia has turned off gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland; as well as Dutch and Danish enterprises; according to the European Commission chief.
In view of Russia’s use of gas supplies to “blackmail” European Union members over the Ukraine conflict; European Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU wants to enhance its energy cooperation with Israel.

“The Kremlin has blackmailed us by using our reliance on Russian fossil fuels”; she said in a speech at Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, in southern Israel.

Read More: 15 European nations urge Israel to reverse plans for more settler homes

“Since the beginning of the war, Russia has deliberately cut off its gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria and Finland, and Dutch and Danish companies, in retaliation for our support to Ukraine.” But Moscow’s conduct “only strengthens our resolve to break free of our dependence on Russian fossil fuels,” she said, noting the EU was “exploring ways to step up our energy cooperation with Israel.”

Read More: Israel, Germany sign 3 bln euro submarine deal