Russia halts gas to Poland, Bulgaria, taking aim at European economies

A 3D printed Natural Gas Pipes are placed on displayed EU and Russian flags in this illustration taken on January 31, 2022. [Reuters]

Russia halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland on Wednesday for rejecting its demand to pay in roubles, taking direct aim at European economies in its toughest retaliation so far against international sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

The step was denounced by European leaders as "blackmail", and comes as European countries have joined the United States in ramping up arms shipments to help Ukraine fend off a new Russian assault in the east.