Russia’s move to cut gas exports to Europe by 60 percent would bring the continent one step closer to energy quotas.

According to Bloomberg, Russia has been a constant supplier of gas to Europe throughout the Cold War and its aftermath. But that changed this week. Russia has cut off gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for the continent’s support for Kyiv. Following Russia’s move to use energy as a weapon, the prospect of gas quotas in Europe is not far off.

The decline in Russian gas supplies to Europe has pushed up gas prices and increased pressure on the bloc’s economy, which could jeopardize European integration. All this was due to the support of European leaders for Ukraine during the visit of its high-ranking officials to this country.

Europe has been forced to use winter gas reserves to meet its needs. So European governments need to control gas distribution in the coming months. According to the Wood Mackenzie Consulting Institute, if Russia stops the flow of gas to Europe, the continent will be without gas by January.

The alarm was sounded for Europe when the Kremlin reduced the gas flow of the Stream rolling pipeline by 60%. The pipeline pumps gas directly to Germany and affects gas supplies to France, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has for decades undermined reliable energy ties with Europe and has gradually restricted gas supplies to the continent since the start of the Ukraine war, and this has now intensified this week.

Gas prices in Europe rose by 50 percent following Putin’s move, the highest weekly increase since the start of the Ukraine war. The region has little alternative to Russian gas, especially during the cold winter months. Norway and the Netherlands’ strategic reserves are almost depleted, and fewer natural gas shipments appear to be on the way.

As Europe’s largest economy, Germany is dependent on Europe for more than a third of its gas needs. So take a number of steps and ask people to unite and save energy.

It all depends on the EU’s gas-sharing mechanism, how they distribute the available gas among the bloc countries.

While Europe is trying to ban the import of coal and oil from Russia, it is very difficult to replace Russian gas.

Prepared by MohammadSadegh Razmi