Germany triggered its gas emergency plan on Tuesday. The measure is intended to serve an ‘early warning’ for the potential disruption or stoppage of energy supplies from Russia.
The move was made ahead of March 31 – Russia’s deadline for “unfriendly countries,” which includes Germany and the rest of the EU – to begin paying for gas in rubles instead of dollars and euros. Berlin’s move is the first in a three-stage maneuver that includes early warning, alert, and emergency levels.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that gas supplies are safeguarded for now, but stressed the need to “increase precautionary measures to be prepared for an escalation from the Russian side.”