Suspension of gas supply to Poland, Bulgaria upon refusal to pay for gas in rubles is not Russian blackmail - Peskov

MOSCOW. April 27 (Interfax) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has disagreed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said that the suspension of Russian gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria was blackmail and a breach of contract.

"This is not blackmail," Peskov said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"We categorically disagree with this type of definition," he said.

The respective executive order of Russian President Vladimir Putin will apply if any other EU members refuse to pay for Russian gas in rubles, Peskov said when journalists asked him whether Gazprom might suspend gas supplies to countries other than Poland and Bulgaria.

"As the payment date approaches and if any consumers refuse to pay consistent with the new system, clearly, the presidential order will be fulfilled," Peskov said.

He added that a shift to ruble payments for Russian gas will not change gas prices for foreign buyers.

"Any additional problems, difficulties or a de facto change of prices that could happen, in particular, because of exchange rates, are out of the question," Peskov told reporters.