(VOVWORLD) -The EU needs an emergency plan to prepare for a complete cut off of gas supplies from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.
 Technicians work at a natural gas pumping station in Sayda, East Germany. Photo: AP/VNA
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Von der Leyen said that the Commission is discussing a European emergency plan, which will be published at the end of next week, which will ensure that gas will be supplied to places where they are most needed.
She said dozens of member countries have been affected by the reduction or complete cut off of gas supplies after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
In June, the EU members approved regulations to ensure gas reserve capacity in the EU. Specifically, underground gas storage facilities on the territory of member states must be filled to at least 80% capacity before the start of the winter 2022-2023 and up to 90% before the start of the next winter period. The EU will work to fill 85% of total underground gas storage capacity by the end of this year.