The German authorities have introduced an alarm mode due to the reduction of gas supplies from Russia and the continuing high prices for the carrier. This was stated by the Minister of Economics of Germany, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habek, according to Deutsche Welle. The alarm mode is the second stage of the emergency plan in case of an emergency in the gas sector.

“We are in a gas crisis. From now on, gas is a scarce commodity. Prices are already high today, and we should prepare for their further increase,” Habek said.

He also called the cuts in Russian gas supplies an "economic attack" on Germany.

The second stage of the emergency plan is introduced when gas supply interruptions begin to occur or due to high demand for gas. It is assumed that at this stage the market can still cope with the problems on its own, without government intervention.

The third stage, an emergency, will be introduced if the gas supply deteriorates so much that the situation can be corrected only with the help of state intervention. Then the Federal Agency for Grids, in agreement with fuel suppliers, will decide on quotas for gas supplies to consumers, primarily for vulnerable facilities - households, hospitals, gas power plants.