Expecting that Russian President Vladimir Putin will cut off vast natural gas supplies to the European Union, the bloc's head office is set to propose energy cuts and savings Wednesday that might make for a much colder winter, but one without massive disruptions.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU has approved bans on Russian coal and most oil to take effect later this year but did not include natural gas because the 27-nation bloc depends on it to power factories, generate electricity and heat homes. Now, it fears that Putin will cut off gas anyway to try to wreak economic and political havoc in Europe this winter.
