The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has warned of a renewed escalation of the energy crisis in the European Union in the course of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine: We all have to prepare for the worst situation.”
However, the European emergency plan agreed last week to reduce gas consumption will “help in our need for winter supplies,” von der Leyen said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “El Mundo” on Monday.
She stressed: “In just a week, the EU has agreed to take a decisive and unprecedented step to counter the threat from Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin to completely stop gas supplies.”
Like other EU countries, Spain initially opposed the emergency plan, but eventually approved it after making concessions. Von der Leyen welcomed the Spanish government’s decision, saying: “Again, this is about European solidarity.” She called for the preservation of unity in Europe: “It is not the first time that Russia is trying to divide us. It has failed before and will fail again. We must stick together.”
“Europe cannot be divided”
“Europe cannot be divided – we stand against Putin’s treacherous strategy,” Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler announced in Brussels on Tuesday after agreeing the emergency plan to curb gas consumption in the European Union, referring to the Russian president. She also emphasized solidarity between Member States.
Save 15% on gas consumption
The Commission’s proposal provides that EU countries can save 15 percent on gas between August and March. The average for the same period in the years 2016 to 2021 is used for comparison. The target is voluntary in the first instance, but can be made mandatory in the event of a supply calamity. However, some exceptions are foreseen, for example for island states such as Malta or Ireland.
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.
