The Kremlin has said that the Russian gas supplies to Europe will not resume until Western sanctions against Moscow are lifted.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that sanctions were the sole reason behind Russia’s decision to shut the Nord Stream pipeline. Moscow initially said it was shutting the pipeline for maintenance.The Nord Stream pipeline is the single biggest gas pipeline carrying gas between Russian and western Europe.

EU officials have repeatedly accused Russia of intentionally reducing the flows in retaliation for Western sanctions. The United States has also accused Russia of using energy as a weapon, adding though that Europe will have enough gas to face the winter months.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU needs to step up plans for renewable energy products and to reform its electricity market.

Meanwhile, energy prices have hit new highs,forcing countries to accelerate their search for alternatives to Russian gas.