After Gazprom's decision to cut off deliveries for longer via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline increased European gas prices by more than 30 percent, French President Emmanuel Macron held a press conference at the Elysee Palace, following a videoconference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Europe's energy crisis

Macron noted that the share of Russian gas, which was 50 percent of Europe's pre-war gas needs in Ukraine, fell to 9 percent. He then announced a package of initiatives and suggestions, including his support for "buying gas jointly" with a view to obtaining "cheaper" prices for Europe, with a cap on the price of Russian gas delivered via pipes.

He continued: "If UNHCR is to decide whether to set a cap on the price of gas received through pipes from Russia, France will support this measure."

To address the European-level energy crisis, EU energy ministers are scheduled to meet on September 9 to discuss measures to contain high prices, and on the table, options such as capping the price of imported gas, capping the price of gas used to generate electricity, or temporary withdrawal of gas-fired power plants from the current European electricity pricing system.

To limit the rise in gas prices, France will support the principle of capping Russian gas prices if the European Commission supports it, but it has lost steam in the collapse of Gazprom deliveries.

It is noteworthy that while Europe suffers from energy shortages, it does not have the power and ability to impose gas prices on Russia "