EU energy ministers met at an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss a unified European response to the energy crisis and the growing possibility of a total Russian gas embargo being introduced this winter.

Czech Minister of Industry Jozef Sikela, speaking at the end of “difficult discussions” on Friday (9 September), outlined four potential measures to be implemented “by the end of the month”.

These include a cap on the excessive revenues generated by energy companies, a plan to reduce electricity and gas consumption, a solidarity “levy” on fossil fuel companies, and temporary liquidity support for struggling businesses.

“Putin hoped to divide us. He has failed and will continue to fail,” emphasised Jozef Sikela.

However, there was a certain discrepancy between the accounts of the meeting given by J. Sikela and Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson (Kadri Simson). K. Simson left open the possibility of setting a price cap only on Russian gas, while Sikela stated that a price cap would be set for all imported gas.

Belgian Energy Minister Tinne van der Straeten also tweeted that the Commission had been given a “clear signal” that “all gas imported into the EU” should be capped, not just gas arriving from Russia.

However, K. Simson said that “nothing has been decided yet”. She also reminded that a price cap on all gas imports would limit the EU’s ability to compete for foreign gas imports from non-Russian sources.

“A general price cap could cause supply security problems, and liquefied natural gas is a competitive global market,” she said. “At the moment, it is important to replace Russian supplies, which will be necessary for the winter months.”

She also said that the Commission would “intensify” negotiations with member states “that are most dependent on Russian gas” and who are also most likely to oppose a price cap on only Russian gas for fear of the consequences.

While EU negotiators continue to resolve their differences, most member states have already introduced support measures, the volume of which, according to data from the Bruegel think tank, reaches 400 billion euros.

The solutions adopted by member states so far are very different

“I intend to emphasise today that we must save energy,” said Dutch State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief (Hans Vijlbrief) upon arriving at the meeting; this view was also supported by the energy ministers of Germany and Ireland.

Greece, which is spending 3.7% of its GDP – more than any other EU country – on measures to protect businesses and households from price increases, has increased the burning of highly polluting lignite for electricity generation from 10% to 20%. “Either we agree on a plan to help households, or we submit to the will of a totalitarian state,” said Greek Energy Minister Konstantinos Skrekas.

Another energy meeting will likely be planned by the end of the month, said Jozef Sikela.