ISTANBUL 

This winter, three Danish cities will not open outdoor ice skating rinks amid the energy crisis Europe is facing in the wake of the war in Ukraine, according to local media reports.

The outdoor ice rinks of Middelfart, Esbjerg and Aarhus will not be making an appearance this year due to high energy costs, the Local reported.

“Ice rinks like these are an expensive pleasure. Especially this year, when heating is turned down, we want to send a political signal,” Jakob Lose, Esbjerg’s chairman of the municipal culture and leisure commission, was quoted as saying.

The move came as European countries are coming up with energy-saving measures in preparation for the possibility that Russia will fully cut off gas supplies to the EU in retaliation to Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.​​​​​​​