European Union members to cut gas use amid Vladimir Putin warning

Brussels, July 20

The European Union (EU) told member countries on Wednesday to cut gas usage by 15 per cent until March as an emergency step after President Vladimir Putin warned that Russian supplies sent via the biggest pipeline to Europe could be reduced further and might even stop. This comes amid Western sanctions due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

It’s blackmailing

Russia is blackmailing us, using energy as a weapon. Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission Chief

Deliveries via Nord Stream 1 pipeline are due to resume on Thursday after a 10-day halt for annual maintenance. The disruptions have hampered Europe’s efforts to refill gas storage before winter, raising the risk of rationing.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow’s action in Ukraine now go beyond the eastern Donbas region, as the its forces shelled eastern and southern Ukraine. — Reuters