Free Republic

German industry is reportedly preparing to institute gas rationing in Europe’s largest economy as Vladimir Putin’s Russia cut off shipments to Finland, which has launched an application to join the NATO military alliance. The Federal Network Agency of Germany, locally known as the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), is reportedly drafting action plans to implement gas rationing in response to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s demands that unfriendly nations purchase natural gas from Moscow in rubles rather than Western currencies such as the dollar or euro. According to a report from the Reuters news agency, BNetzA — which regulates energy in Germany — said:...

Sanctions are hitting Russian families at the grocery store as food prices rise amid surging inflation, which is already running at double the rate of the West. Consumers are falling further behind as wages stagnate in a slowing economy. The situation is expected to get worse as inventories run down, sanctions take effect and buyers adopt strategies that could push inflation higher.