If Russia actually gets serious and only accepts rubles for its gas supplies, there is a risk that gas supplies will be halted. However, people had been preparing for such a situation for a long time, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said on Wednesday. Still, he hopes the situation will not happen.
“We are prepared for anything and will also work very closely with the Member States, so that everyone can prepare well for this situation,” said the Dutchman. However, he did not give details. Referring to Germany’s decision to initiate the early warning phase of the gas emergency plan, Timmermans said it made sense in this situation for governments to prepare and also act proactively.
Germany has declared an early warning level
Against the background of the Russian war against Ukraine, the German government is preparing for a tense gas supply situation. Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens) therefore announced the early warning level of the gas emergency plan on Wednesday.
At the beginning of the week, Moscow again assured that future gas deliveries would only take place if they were paid in rubles – numerous economists and energy companies described this demand as a breach of contract. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the implementation will not take place on Thursday. According to reports, President Vladimir Putin still wants to consult with representatives of gas giant Gazprom and the central bank.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
