EU agreed on an emergency gas plan/Channel 24 finally saw the true face of Russia. Now they are trying to reduce dependence on it to a minimum.
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The countries of the European Union have already agreed on an emergency plan to reduce gas consumption. A special meeting of ministers, at which it should be approved, will be held today, July 26, in Brussels.
What is the purpose of the new plan
The main thing in this strategy is to reduce the risks that may arise due to the complete cessation of gas supplies from Russia.
According to diplomats, the European Commission plan provides for a reduction in national gas consumption in the period from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 by 15 percent.
They can announce an alarm within the EU if there is a large shortage of gas supplies. We must also set targets to save gas consumption. Compared to the first draft of the European Commission, the barriers for these indicators have now been raised, and the number of possible exceptions to the plan has been increased.
Agreements reached
The Council of Europe subsequently reported that EU members had reached agreements to reduce gas consumption. They will voluntarily cut gas demand by 15%. Thus, they want to save money on the eve of winter in order to prepare for possible disruptions in gas supplies from Russia, which constantly uses energy as a weapon.
The EU is united and in solidarity. Today's decision made it clear that the member states will steadfastly oppose any attempt by Russia to divide the EU using energy as a weapon. This decision strengthened our common energy security. Winter will be much cheaper and easier for EU citizens and industry, said Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Sikela.
The regulation is an exceptional and extraordinary measure that will be valid for a limited time – one year. The commission will then review it to decide whether to continue in the light of the overall EU gas supply situation until May 2023. The EU Council also agreed that certain exceptions are possible. They will be considered specifically in the context of a specific situation for each country, if any.
Putin's gas blackmail
- The Kremlin uses gas blackmail against European countries. There is a threat that supplies may be cut off at an unexpected moment. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that it would not stop, so Europe should hit Russia in response with harsh sanctions.
- Zelensky also noted that Russia is doing everything to make it difficult for Europeans to prepare for winter. They do not care what will happen to people, how they will suffer – from hunger due to the blocking of ports or from winter cold and poverty. Therefore, everything must be done to limit Russian revenues not only from gas and oil, but also from everything else.
- At the same time, the Russian Gazprom has already announced that it will reduce the supply of Nord Stream 1 by another half. Now the power will be only 20%. The reduction will be from July 27th. The reason was called – the expiration of the period between overhauls before overhaul.
