German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has told reporters that “Gas is now a scarce commodity in Germany,” which is sure to have knock-on consequences for the whole European Union.
The comments come following cuts from Russia’s state-owned energy firm Gazprom, causing Germany to initiate phase two of its emergency gas plan.
The first phase was initiated back in March as a precautionary measure in case there were any supply restrictions.
Now, if the third and final phase is triggered, Germany will implement gas rationing policies which many EU countries have hinted at.
Habeck claimed that Russia was using gas “as a weapon” against Germany in retaliation for the EU’s support for Ukraine.
Previously, Habeck asserted that the move constituted an “attack.”
“The reduction of gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is an attack on us, an economic attack on us,” he said.
“When we go into the winter with half full gas stores and the taps are turned off then we are talking about a difficult economic crisis in Germany.”
Habeck claimed that Vladimir Putin was attempting to create “chaos” in Europe by cutting off gas supply to Poland, Bulgaria and other European countries.
The move by Russia comes just after Germany sent advanced long-range artillery systems to Ukraine to help arm them in their fight against Russia.
Ukraine says it "finally" deployed advanced German artillery system Panzerhaubitze 2000https://t.co/aEUIto6Q1J
— The Defense Post (@DefensePost) June 21, 2022
Additionally, this week Irish EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness warned that Europe was facing the risk of rationing this winter in the face of ongoing energy shortages.
Europe could face fuel rationing next winter if Russia retaliates against EU sanctions, Mairead McGuinness has warned https://t.co/0zt6ZNBspE
— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) June 21, 2022