Von der Leyen warns that Russia could completely close the gas tap: "Putin uses energy as a weapon"

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The president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, warned of the need to prepare for a reduction or even a

.

Currently, she reminded her, there are already 12 countries that suffer from this shortage in an absolute or partial way.

For this reason, Brussels is preparing an emergency plan, which it will present, along with its still unknown tools, "in mid-July" and which will work together with the national contingency plans.

"We also have to prepare now for additional gas supply disruptions or even a complete cut off of Russian gas supply," the president warned.

"Today, 12 member states are affected by partial or total cuts," he recalled, referring to countries such as

- which have seen their supply completely interrupted - or

, which are among those that They get less gas.

In the case of Germany, in fact, this situation has meant that they have to reactivate coal plants as an alternative to this fuel.

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In the event that Russia chooses to punish Europe with "total disruption", the president says that it is necessary to "ensure" that the gas "flows where it is most needed".

"We have to have

and protect the single market and industry value chains," she argued.

The declarations came in full vote of the delegated act of the green taxonomy, which was approved by the European Parliament and will give consideration of renewable energies to gas and nuclear.

Von der Leyen, who took part in a debate in Strasbourg, directly accused Putin of using gas as a form of pressure.

"It is obvious that

," he explained.

That is why the Commission is working on this European emergency energy plan, which will arrive in just over a month.

Thus, he considers that "we have to start by diversifying our gas supply, moving away from Russia."

In this sense, he welcomed the fact that global fuel exports to Europe have increased by 75% compared to 2021 and that the import of gas by gas pipeline from Russia to Europe has plummeted by 33%, although in this case Putin's willingness to supply European deposits would also play a role.

"We are making progress, which is just what we want," transmitted Von der Leyen, who also referred to the duality on the edge of the "weapon" used by the Russian government: "If we do nothing we are going to enrich Putin.

During her speech, the President of the Commission also tried to contextualize European energy policy and how work will have to continue on the Green Deal agenda during the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, which began on July 1.

"Climate change is not going to wait for Putin's war to end."

In this context where war and ecological transition converge, Europe, she declared, the German must hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

"We have a hard job ahead of us."

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• European Comission

• Ursula von der Leyen

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