A decrease in gas supplies by 7 million cubic metres from Russia’s gazprom was reported in Poland on Tuesday forcing the government to ask the national gas supplier to cut deliveries to industry. 

“The rate of gas coming both from Ukraine and Belarus is now lower than the country’s demand,” said economy vice-minister Adam Szejnfeld, adding that Poland has been forced to ask the national 
gas supplier to cut gas deliveries to industry. He reassured, however, that national reserves will remain untouched. 

Poland and other central and eastern European countries have experienced a shortfall of gas since Russia turned off supplies to Ukraine following a dispute over payments. 

Vice PM Waldemar Pawlak said that Poland was going to ask Russia facilitate the use of greater gas transfer via the Yamal – Europe gas pipeline. 

Pawlak emphasized that so far the reported shortfalls have have not affected individual users. 

The head of the ruling Civic Platfrom’s parliamentary caucus, Zbigniew Chlebowski, said: “Both economy and individual clients do not have to worry at the moment, as Poland has currently rich gas 
reserves.” 

One of Poland’s neighbours, Slovakia, has announced it will introduce an economic “state of emergency” after a the decline of gas supply from Gazprom by 70 percent. Austria says it is 
experiencing a 75 percent shortfall.