It is not just a fleeting summer heat wave that makes European leaders sweat, but the fear that Russia's manipulation of its natural gas supplies to Europe will cause an economic and political crisis in European countries next winter, according to an Associated Press report.

Here are basic facts to know about the energy pressure game resulting from Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the agency.

what happened?

Russia last week cut gas supplies to 5 countries in the European Union, including Germany, which is the largest economy in the 27-nation bloc, countries that rely heavily on Russian gas for electricity generation and the power industry.

The Russian energy giant Gazprom cut off;

Supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline - which passes under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany by 60%, and is the main natural gas pipeline in Europe - at a time when Italy is seeing a cut in supply by half.

Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia also saw cuts.

This follows Russia's shutdown of gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France and the Netherlands in recent weeks.

At first, these closures were seen as less of a problem;

Because Poland, for example, was already phasing out Russian gas by the end of the year, while others had alternative supplies.

But the latest cuts have hit countries with major economies that use a lot of Russian natural gas, as Germany depends on Russia for 35% of its gas imports.

This percentage is 40% in Italy.


Why worry?

Europe struggles to fill its underground gas reserves before winter, builds gas facilities at a regular pace, and fills reserves during summer;

Gas can be purchased at a cheaper price, and then withdrawn during the winter when the demand for gas for heating increases.

But Russia's cut in gas supplies makes refilling storage difficult and more expensive.

The move has raised the specter of a complete Russian gas shutdown that will make it impossible for Europe to get all the fuel it needs for the winter.

It will also negatively affect many energy-intensive industries, which will slow the European economy, in addition to what will suffer from gas electricity production facilities.

Currently, 57% of underground storage caves in Europe are filled with gas, while the European Commission recommended that the filling rate in each country be 80% by the first of next November, while Germany has set targets of 80% by the first of October and 90% by November 1.

But analysts at the Bruegel Research Center in the Belgian capital, Brussels, warn that Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania will not meet the EU's 80% target if these countries continue at their current pace, while Germany, Austria and Slovakia will find it very difficult to fill their storage facilities if The flow of gas from Russia has stopped, according to analysts.


What did Europe do to dispense with Russian gas?

The European Union, which before the Russian war in Ukraine obtained 40% of its gas needs from Russia, has set plans to reduce imports by two-thirds by the end of this year and phase out Russian gas entirely by 2027.

The union said it would ban Russian coal in August and most Russian oil in six months.

The goal is to deny Russia the $850 million a day it earns from oil and gas sales to Europe, in order to prevent funding for its war in Ukraine.

In addition, European governments and utilities have bought expensive natural and liquefied gas from the United States that is delivered by ship, unlike gas that comes via pipeline from Russia and is usually cheaper.

But the war drove up energy prices, driving up inflation in Europe, while Russia kept high revenues.


There are also European efforts to get more gas through pipelines from Norway and Azerbaijan, and the rapid spread and preservation of renewable energy are expected to play smaller roles.

As for Germany, which does not have import terminals for liquefied natural gas, it intends to establish 4 floating terminals, two of which will operate this year.

Despite the focus on renewable energy, the crisis is driving countries back to fossil fuels.

Germany is speeding up legislation to restart coal-fired power plants as a temporary alternative, despite plans to exit coal entirely by 2030.

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck considered resorting to coal a "bitter thing", but added, "But it is an absolute necessity in this case," at a time when the German government plans to take measures to stimulate industry and utilities to use less natural gas.

Habeck also urged the Germans to conserve energy.

"The use of gas should be reduced further, so that more gas can be stored, otherwise there will be tightness in winter," he said.

Following in Germany's footsteps, the Dutch government said it would allow coal-fired power plants to operate at full capacity again to conserve natural gas that would otherwise be burned to produce electricity.


What is the Russia game?

Russia's giant Gazprom says it has been forced to cut flows to Europe via Nord Stream 1 because Western sanctions have cut off a major piece of equipment in Canada, where it has been moved for maintenance, arguing that European governments call the gas cuts a policy.

But Gazprom's steps have caused natural gas prices to rise sharply in Europe, which had fallen in the wake of the last winter heating season.

In return, Russia's revenues increased at a time when it is under pressure from Western economic sanctions, and in conjunction with European pressure in Ukraine, where Europe gives Kyiv political and military support.

Gazprom's moves can also be seen as a reaction to Western sanctions and a deterrent to further sanctions.

Larger gas users have been advised that they are not exempt from any potential cuts.

Germany and Italy saw their supplies cut off as their leaders joined French President Emmanuel Macron in Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in support of Ukraine's status as a candidate for EU membership.

Will Europeans fall into the dark and freeze this winter?

This is unlikely because EU law requires governments to ration gas supplies to industry;

So that homes, schools and hospitals are maintained.

Gas-deficient countries can also seek help from others who may be better off, although this depends on proper pipeline connections.

The downside to legalization would be industrial cuts and shutdowns that could cost jobs and growth in an economy already suffering from high inflation and raising fears of a global deflation;

Where central banks raise interest rates.

In addition, Russia's complete cutting off of gas supplies could lead to a rise in the cost of electricity production to record levels.