Germany said Thursday it would raise the alert level under its emergency gas plan to secure supply following the recent reduction of pipeline supplies from Russia.

"Gas is now a scarce commodity in Germany," Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters.

Triggering phase two brings Germany a step closer to the third and final stage that could see gas rationing in Europe's top economy.

Habeck claimed that Russia was using gas "as a weapon" against Germany in retaliation for the West's support for Ukraine.

#Germany has declared it is moving to the “alert level” of its emergency gas plan. pic.twitter.com/K4sA9DwJFg

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 23, 2022

An "attack" by Moscow

Germany, like a number of other European countries, is highly reliant on Russian energy imports to meet its needs.

Russian energy giant Gazprom last week significantly reduced supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany by 60% due to what the company said was a delayed repair.

Habeck said that Gazprom's decision amounts to an "attack" by Moscow.

The second "alarm" level under the government's emergency plan reflected a "significant deterioration of the gas supply situation," Habeck said.

At the "alarm" level, Germany is still considered to be in a position to "manage" the situation for the time being.

Habeck said that households "can make a difference" by saving energy, as Germany launches a campaign to encourage gas-saving measures.

Germany reduced share of natural gas supplied by Russia

Germany has mandated that gas storage facilities be filled to 90% ahead of the European winter this year to mitigate the risks from a supply cut. 

Currently, the country's stores stand just under 60% full.

Germany has reduced the share of its natural gas supplied by Russia from 55% before the war in Ukraine to around 35%.

In addition, Germany, Austria, and the Netherland were forced to reactivate some abandoned coal power plants following the decrease in Gazprom gas supply

Europe's largest economy has also sought new sources of supply and accelerated plans to import gas into the country by sea in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).