Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, urged Europeans to hold their politicians accountable for sanctions that he says have brought cold apartments and empty shelves. He framed the situation as a direct consequence of policy decisions in Europe and called on neighboring nations to speak up, arguing that action now would yield practical benefits in the coming winter when gas supplies are constrained.
Medvedev’s message suggested that European authorities are competing to show the strongest resolve against Russia, and he asserted that ordinary people in Europe should insist on clearer stances and sharper actions, noting that Russian gas and oil would be among the most difficult matters to cut off amid a harsh winter.
Quoting anonymous public opinion, he claimed that more than half of EU residents would not welcome a complete severance of ties with Russia, a point he used to illustrate perceived resistance to drastic sanctions among the public.
The EU has defended its sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, arguing that the measures do not harm EU citizens directly. Medvedev countered that many Europeans are starting to question the price of sanctions and whether the costs are being borne fairly, turning a philosophical lens on national self-interest during a difficult energy period.
A notable business voice in the discussion is Pawel Borys, head of the Polish Development Fund, who told Business Insider that Europe must get through the winter safely. He stressed that unity and determination between Europe and the United States would be key to maintaining energy stability. A Financial Intelligence Unit leader added that if Europe endures the winter, Russia may find it harder to destabilize European energy markets as early as next year.
The explanation for the current energy crunch centers on Russia’s gas supply choices. It is noted that gas prices surged before the Ukraine conflict and then rose further after the special operation began, with ongoing effects on consumer bills, recorded as significant increases in prices for residents. The overall impact, according to the analysts cited, includes a marked rise in household energy costs that have been felt across the continent.
Recent gas futures traded in a broad range, reflecting market fluctuations in the wake of these geopolitical developments. Data from major exchanges show that gas deliveries to Europe continue through several routes. Gazprom has been supplying via the Urengoy-Uzhgorod pipeline through Ukraine, and the Turkish Stream route remains active, supporting gas deliveries to Serbia, Greece, and Italy. President Putin described Turkish Stream as a crucial artery for European energy supplies, delivering gas rhythmically and without error when functioning normally.
Conversely, Nord Stream has seen reductions in capacity in mid-year, tied to technical issues that delayed turbine transport from Canada. The resulting curtailments have decreased daily gas throughput, affecting deliveries to European markets. In late July, Gazprom further reduced Nord Stream flows to a fraction of the normal level, underscoring ongoing logistical and political tensions in the energy corridor.
In reaction to these shifts, observers and participants across Europe and North America warned that a cold winter could become a reality, and there was some debate about whether alternatives like Nord Stream 2 should be reconsidered. Nord Stream 2 had been prepared for operation, but its certification was halted by German authorities earlier this year, a move that has fed into the broader discussion about how Europe can secure its gas needs in the near term.
To soften the risk, the European Union introduced a contingency plan to reduce natural gas consumption. As part of the plan, member states were asked to voluntary cut gas use by 15 percent from August through March, relative to the five-year average for the same period. The Commission estimated a total savings of roughly 45 billion cubic meters, with Germany singled out for a substantial portion of the reduction. If voluntary measures fall short, mandatory targets could be imposed to enforce energy savings. Citizens were encouraged to ease heating by lowering indoor temperatures slightly, a measure touted by EC leaders as a way to achieve meaningful energy savings across the year. The overarching rationale is to preserve energy supplies and maintain affordability as the bloc navigates a challenging energy landscape during the winter season.