Despite months of soaring energy prices and tight supplies, most governments have avoided taking a step they fear could be unpopular but with concerns growing that Russia could turn off the taps, the message in some capitals is starting to shift.
That is also about 13% of the 155 billion cubic metres the 27-nation bloc buys each year from Russia, which is in turn about 40% of the EU's total gas consumption. Sweden, France, Italy, Germany and Britain also announced measures to make petrol cheaper this month after crude hit its highest price since 2008, drawing criticism from campaigners who say the measures are fossil fuel subsidies.
Those solutions will take time, however, and the European Commission has already suggested that consumers could help dent demand immediately.