Russia has switched off the main gas line to Europe until Ukraine-related sanctions are removed.

The Russian gas giant Gazprom has indefinitely suspended natural gas flows to Europe via Nord Stream 1 pipeline amid a worsening energy crisis in the continent.

Gazprom stopped its supplies to Latvia following tensions between Moscow and the West over the conflict in Ukraine.

Germany’ Social Democratic Party (SPD) is set to expel former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder from the party over the conflict in Ukraine and his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The largest single pipeline carrying Russian gas to Germany shuts down for annual maintenance amid fears the stoppage may be extended due to the Ukraine conflict.

Canada will return a repaired Russian turbine to Germany necessary for maintenance on the key Russia-Europe natural gas pipeline, despite objections from Ukraine.

The head of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) has sounded the alarm on energy cuts.

The US government is expected to announce that it will allow sanctions to move forward on the company tasked with building Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a report said.

US senators say sanctions against Europe's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could harm relations with Germany.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin says the European Union should only blame its own policies for soaring gas prices, stressing that transporting Russian gas to Europe via the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline would lower the costs.