POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has opened a new front in its war over Ukraine, cutting two European Union nations that staunchly back Kyiv off from its gas. That represents a dramatic escalation in a conflict that is increasingly becoming a wider battle with the West. One day after the United States and Western allies vowed to speed more and better military supplies to Ukraine, the Kremlin upped the ante, using its most essential export as leverage. European gas prices shot up on the news. European leaders denounced it as “blackmail.” The Kremlin then went even further, saying Wednesday that Russia could halt gas supplies to other European customers.
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a statement at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Kenzo Tribouillard, Pool Photo via AP)
