Ukraine war: Germany fears Russia gas cut may become permanent

Russian natural gas supplies to Germany via the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 have been halted for 10 days for annual maintenance work.

But German Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned that EU countries had to be prepared in case gas shipments did not resume.

He has accused the Kremlin of using gas "as a weapon" in response to EU sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Mr Habeck admitted Germany had become too dependent on Russian gas.

But he said that two floating terminals for deliveries of liquified natural gas (LNG) would be ready by the end of the year. read more