ANKARA

The EU Commission chief on Monday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of using energy as "a weapon" by cutting the supply and manipulating the markets.

"Putin is using energy as a weapon by cutting supply and manipulating our energy markets," Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.

"He will fail. Europe will prevail," von der Leyen stressed.

Noting that the commission is preparing proposals to help vulnerable households and businesses cope with high energy prices, she said it will aim to reduce the electricity demand and the price cap on pipeline gas.

It will also aim to help vulnerable consumers and businesses with revenue from the energy sector, and enable support to electricity producers facing liquidity challenges linked to volatility, she added.

Gas prices surged after the Russian energy company Gazprom announced that natural gas shipments from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Europe have been halted indefinitely.

Gazprom shut down the pipeline between Aug. 31-Sept. 2 for repairs, and supplies were scheduled to resume after Sept. 2, but the company announced the pipeline would remain closed.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that shipments via the pipeline could start if sanctions against Russia are lifted as they are prohibiting pipeline maintenance.