Europe recognizes that threat of termination of gas supplies from Russia is real

According to the document, which was seen by the Kommersant, the EU is seriously preparing for the disruption of gas supplies from Russia and intends, if necessary, to introduce the manual management of the sector. For a while Europe is not ready to stop purchases from Gazprom and plans to reduce its dependence on import of pipeline gas in the medium term through the acquisition of LNG at spot market prices. However, according to experts, even in this case, gas will be more expensive to the Europeans than the price, at which Gazprom sells it now.

The Kommersant has been able to see a draft report on energy safety in the gas sector, prepared by the Council of the EU, which is the development of the energy security strategy, published in the spring. The document proposes short-term measures in case of disruption of the Russian gas supplies this winter, and describes medium-term approaches to the security of the supplies. According to the Kommersant, the document will be discussed at the informal meeting of the EU Energy Ministers on October 6th, and the formulated proposals - at the summit of the EU leaders on October, 17th-21st.