Brussels would set a goal for all member states to reduce gas consumption by 15 per cent between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The European Commission president told a media conference why serious cuts on energy use and solidarity between member states were needed over the coming period. She proposed that member states cut their gas consumption by 15 per cent, Vilaggazdasag reports, citing AP News.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, it is inevitable for member states to join in common action in order to mitigate the situation unfolding due to the gas supply shortages. If we are preparing for the scenario that Russian natural gas will be completely cut off, then we need to procure gas from other sources on the one hand, and must cut our gas consumption on the other hand, she said.

To that end, the EC President announced a two-stage scenario.

So the emergency scenario, with solidarity being its other element, will step into effect, Ms Von der Leyen said. “There are some member states that are more directly exposed than others to Russian gas”, so it is important that EU countries help out each other, if needed,

she stressed.

The EU will strive to ensure energy solidarity between the member states by coordination, Ms Von der Leyen added.

EC Vice-President Frans Timmermans also spoke at the press briefing. Europe must prepare for the worst case scenario, which is the complete cut-off of Russian gas supplies, the Dutch politician said. Mr Timmermans called it necessary to prepare for the winter even during the summer heat, because if the EU does not act in time, it will likely face a shortage from the necessary energy carriers.