Putin threatens to ‘freeze’ Europe with total energy cut-off
The TelegraphVladimir Putin has threatened to “freeze” Europe with a total shutdown of energy supplies if Brussels presses ahead with a price cap on Russian gas. “No gas, no oil, no coal, no fuel oil, nothing.” The European Commission is to ask countries to approve a broad cap on the price of Russian gas alongside mandatory cuts in electricity use, and a tax on oil and gas companies. Speaking after Mr Putin's threat to block supplies, Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission's president, said: “We must cut Russia’s revenues which Putin uses to finance this atrocious war against Ukraine.” It came as Norway signalled that it is willing to discuss potential long-term gas agreements and price caps in a move that could help to bring down sky-high energy prices in the UK. Jonas Gahr Store, Norway’s prime minister, said: “I fully understand that Europe now has a profound debate about how energy markets work, how they can secure more affordable prices for citizens, families, industries, and how this shortfall of gas after Putin’s aggression can be handled.” But the Norwegian leader said the EU had to be careful not to adopt measures that ended up jeopardising energy supplies ahead of winter.