The Nord Stream 2 pipeline. ( Photo: Reuters/VNA)

Russian energy supplies to Europe have significantly declined this year amid a stand-off and sweeping Western sanctions against Russia following the start of a special military operation in Ukraine in February.

Russia supplied around 40% of the EU’s gas before it sent troops to Ukraine. That share has plummeted to 9%, as Moscow has cut supplies to Europe, blaming the decline on technical issues caused by Western sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Russia will stop exporting its energy if sanctions continue to be imposed.