BERLIN: The European Commission published emergency plans on Wednesday to immediately reduce gas demand in the EU, as Europe aims to avoid a shortage of gas during the winter amid fears of Russia cutting off deliveries. In unveiling the proposal, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that Russia was “using energy as a weapon.”
“In any event, whether it’s a partial, major cut-off of Russian gas or a total cut-off of Russian gas, Europe needs to be ready,” she said.
Von der Leyen added that Russia fully cutting off gas flows to Europe is “a likely scenario.” “We have to be proactive. We have to prepare for a potential full disruption of Russian gas. That’s what we’ve seen in the past,” von der Leyen said. “We are preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best,” she added. The emergency plan proposes that member states to engage in voluntary measures to reduce consumption. –Agencies
