<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Natural gas has emerged as a weapon of war between Russia and Europe since Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Here is how the stand-off developed:</div><div><br></div><div>- Nord Stream 2 halted -</div><div>On February 22, 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he is suspending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Russia in response to Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions in Ukraine.</div><div><br></div><div>The project has long been a source of tension with Berlin's allies in the United States and Europe, who worry it would increase Germany's energy dependence on Russia.</div><div><br></div><div>Ukraine also fears it will lose revenues from gas transit if Nord Stream 2, which would deliver Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, goes ahead.</div><div><br></div><div>- Gas prices soar -</div><div><br></div><div>On February 24, Russia invades Ukraine. Gas and oil prices soar on fears of possible cuts in supplies.</div><div><br></div><div>On March 2, the European Union cuts seven Russian banks off from the SWIFT banking transfer system.</div><div><br></div><div>But it spares two major lenders with strong ties to the energy sector, reflecting the dependence of several EU states on Russian gas.</div><div><br></div><div>- US embargo -</div><div><br></div><div>On March 8, President Joe Biden bans US imports of Russian gas and oil. The EU says it will cut its imports of Russian gas by two-thirds this year and Britain says it will phase out its Russian energy imports by the end of 2022.</div><div><br></div><div>- Russia's riposte -</div><div><br></div><div>On March 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin bans European gas customers from paying their bills in dollars and euros, in response to the freezing of some $300 billion in currency reserves held by Russia overseas.</div><div><br></div><div>He announces that Moscow will now only accept payment in rubles from "unfriendly" countries, including EU nations.</div><div><br></div><div>The European Commission warns EU members that by paying in rubles they would be violating international sanctions against Moscow.</div><div><br></div><div>Washington agrees to provide Europe with an extra 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas this year.</div><div><br></div><div>- Taps turned off -</div><div><br></div><div>On April 27, Russian giant Gazprom cuts off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, in a move European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen describes as "blackmail".</div><div><br></div><div>She says the two EU and NATO members are now receiving gas from their EU neighbours.</div><div><br></div><div>On May 21, Russia cuts gas to neighbouring Finland, which has refused to pay in rubles and angered Moscow by asking to join NATO.</div><div><br></div><div>The Netherlands and Denmark are also cut off after refusing to pay in rubles.</div><div><br></div><div>- No embargo -</div><div><br></div><div>On May 30, EU leaders agree to stop most Russian oil imports by the end of the year but put off a ban on Russian gas.</div><div><br></div><div>- Pressure on Europe -</div><div><br></div><div>In mid-June, Gazprom drastically cuts daily gas supplies to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline, causing prices to soar.</div><div><br></div><div>Claiming a technical problem, Gazprom reduces deliveries by several notches, as EU leaders prepare to give Ukraine candidate status.</div><div><br></div><div>On June 23, Germany moves closer to rationing gas, raising its supplies alert level to the second of three stages.</div><div><br></div><div>- EU plan -</div><div><br></div><div>On July 11, Gazprom begins 10 days of routine maintenance on its Nord Stream 1 pipeline, resulting in gas cuts in Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>A week later, the EU and Azerbaijan sign an agreement to double gas imports from the energy-rich Caspian nation to Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>The 27-nation bloc has also turned to oil-rich countries such as Qatar, Norway and Algeria to make up for its energy shortfall.</div><div><br></div><div>On July 20, the European Commission urges EU states to reduce demand for natural gas by 15 percent over the coming months to secure winter stocks.</div><div><br></div><div>- Supplies slashed again -</div><div><br></div><div>On July 25, Gazprom says it will further cut the supply to about 20 percent of the pipeline's capacity due to the "technical condition" of one of the turbines.</div><div><br></div><div>The German government says there is "no technical reason" for the move.</div><div><br></div><div>On July 30, Gazprom suspends gas supplies to EU and NATO member Latvia, citing violations of the conditions of purchase. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>