EU member states agree to cut Russian gas supplies by 15%

EU member states, facing the risk of cuts in gas supplies from Russia as winter approaches, have agreed to voluntarily cut Russian gas consumption by 15 percent between August and March next year, while building up strategic reserves gradually.

 

“This was not an impossible mission,” said the Czech Republic representation, currently chairing the Council of the European Union.

 

According to the agreement, the goal was to reduce the demand for natural gas used by Russia for blackmail before winter.

 

“If Russia’s gas supply reaches a critical level, then the agreement will not be voluntary, but mandatory.

 

“In addition, those countries that are not dependent on Russian gas and have other means of supply will be able to maintain gas consumption at the usual level,” said the representation.

 

The agreement also compromises countries that are heavily dependent on gas as a means of generating electricity.