A European Union aimed to cut gas use and help Germany wean itself off dependency on Russia that will come into effect. In the first week of August 2022, EU member states agreed to minimize their use of gas by 15% over the winter season, with exceptions for some countries and despite opposition from Hungary. The article contains EU Planned to Cut Russian Gas Use.
However, officials have since been working on the legal texts of the plan, which will be voluntary unless the member states agree to give the European Commission emergency powers. In addition, the EU’s rotating presidency, held by the Czech Republic, announced that the Council of the European Union represents member states which had formally formed the plan.
“The text will be declared in the Official Journal at the start of upcoming week and will enter into force one day after the publication,” the presidency said. A diplomatic source said that publication would take place soon, and the plan would come into effect. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the EU has imposed a series of economic sanctions packages on Moscow, including a partial ban on oil imports.
But Germany, the EU’s economic powerhouse, is hugely dependent on Russian gas. Berlin took a significant share of 40% of EU gas imports from Russia in 2021. Besides, Russian gas is therefore not subject to sanctions, but Moscow has dramatically cut supplies in what Brussels sees as an trial to blackmail the EU for the purpose of concessions. The plan for member states to deduct gas use is designed to reduce rising prices and lessen the pressure on member states like Germany, which are struggling to find alternative energy sources.
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