PM: Suspension of gas supplies to Poland breach of contracts

Prime Minister Petr Fiala says Russia's decision to suspend gas supplies to Poland is a breach of contracts and a further escalation of tensions. Reacting to the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday, the prime minister said this was further proof that the Czech Republic must end its dependence on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible.

Soon after Gazprom announced it was also cutting gas supplies to Bulgaria. Russia warned earlier that "unfriendly" countries must start paying for gas in roubles or it would cut supplies.

Last December, representatives of the Czech Gas Association and NET4GAS said that a suspension of gas supplies through the Yamal pipeline would have little or no impact on the Czech Republic since the country mainly receives its raw materials from other transport routes.