EU: Need for solidarity ahead of Russian gas crisis
July 25, 2022
EU nations that have gas supplies independent of Russia need to demonstrate solidarity with countries forced to ration gas this coming winter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview published Monday.
Von der Leyen told German news agency dpa, "Even member states that hardly purchase any Russian gas cannot escape the effects of a potential supply stop on our internal market."
Von der Leyen noted that EU economies are so interconnected that a gas crisis in one state, such as comparatively well-off Germany, would affect other national economies.
"That is why it is important that all member states curb demand, that all store more and share with those members that are more affected," she added.
How is the EU preparing for the coming gas crisis this winter?
On Tuesday, a special meeting of EU energy ministers is scheduled to discuss the coming crisis this winter when Russia is likely to restrict or potentially cut off supplies entirely.
EU officials and European leaders have expressed grave concern over the possibility of gas curbs as Western sanctions take a bite out of the Russian economy and as losses from the country's war against Ukraine mount.
The European Commission would like to see EU countries across the bloc reduce gas consumption by 15% from August 1 until March 31 in the case that burden sharing needs to become a reality. Spain and Portugal objected, with Portugal calling the request "untenable" and arguing it consumes only what is an "absolute necessity."
The EU would also like to make further gas consumption reduction requests possible.
While such proposals have met great resistance, von der Leyen expressed confidence a deal could be made within the bloc.
How is Germany preparing for the winter?
Klaus Müller, the head of Germany's Federal Network Agency in charge of the country's gas supplies, said the current rate at which gas storage facilities are being filled is satisfactory.
The gas storage facilities are "finally back on a proper storage path," Müller wrote on Twitter.
As of July 23, the storage facilities were at 65.91% capacity. Müller added, "Now it's a matter of achieving the 75% quota by September 1."
The news comes after German gas storage facilities were kept at very low levels while the Nord Stream pipeline was shut for repairs. To avoid such a situation come winter, Germany wants to guard as much supply as it can at present.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's comments about the reliability of Russian gas supplies, calling them "in absolute contradiction to reality and the history of deliveries." Russia has shut off gas supplies to neighboring countries such as Ukraine and Bulgaria as a means of sending a message in the past.
German gas importer Uniper just received a government bail out as it teetered. By November 1, Germany hopes its gas supplies are at 95% capacity.
Report written with material from dpa.
Edited by: Rebecca Staudenmaier.