Ten days’ worth of Russian gas deliveries to Germany via the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 have been blocked.
The operators of the pipeline, who are backed by Russia, say the move is due to yearly maintenance.
German ministers, however, feel that the blockade is politically driven to exert pressure on Berlin.
In reaction to EU sanctions, German economy minister Robert Habeck stated one month ago that Russian President Vladimir Putin was using gas as a “weapon.”
The German government fears that supplies may be limited or eliminated.
The pipeline suspension also affects Italy, where the energy company Eni said it would receive a third less gas from Russia’s Gazprom on Monday compared to the average volume sent over the previous few days.
Fatih Birol, the chairman of the International Energy Agency, has warned that Russia may cut off all gas supply to Europe and that Europe must prepare immediately.
Russia has already cut off gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland for failing to comply with a new payment plan.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Germany has decreased its reliance on Russian gas from 55% to 35% and aims to cease using Russian gas entirely.
But if Russian supplies were abruptly shut off overnight, this might plunge Germany into a severe recession, as entire sectors and the majority of German households rely on gas for warmth.
