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The European Commission has proposed a voluntary reduction of 15 percent in the use of Russian gas for the countries of the European Union, in case supplies to Europe are stopped.
“We have to prepare for a total stoppage of Russian gas, and this is a possible scenario,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on July 20.
The European bloc has imposed tough sanctions on Russia, after launching an unprovoked attack on Ukraine on February 24.
These measures have prompted Moscow to reduce the amount of energy it delivers to some EU countries.
“Russia is blackmailing us. Russia is using energy as a weapon. Therefore, in any case, be it a partial, major stop, or a total stop of Russian gas, Europe must be ready”, said von der Leyen.
According to this proposal, the reduction of 15 percent would last from August 1 to March 31, and would be calculated based on the average usage that was reported in the same period of 2016-2021.
The Commission can make this target mandatory if it assesses that there is a high risk of gas stoppage for the EU.
To be approved, the proposal must have a majority of 15 members – out of 27 in total – or support from countries representing at least 65 percent of the bloc’s population.
European diplomats will discuss this proposal on July 22, with the possibility of its approval at another meeting of energy ministers on July 26.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of the power Russian President Vladimir Putin could have if he turns energy into a weapon and blocks the economies of the European bloc.
“The partial stoppage of gas is already affecting European economic growth, so a total stoppage would be much more severe”, said the IMF.
According to this institution, the gross domestic product (GDP) in EU member states, such as Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, could shrink by up to 6 percent.
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