Soaring inflation and high energy prices have sparked mass protests and strikes across Europe, raising concerns over political turmoil in the continent.

The economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine war is already hitting Europe hard. Just when Europeans thought their gas standoff with Russia couldn’t get any worse, energy prices soared even further.

Iran’s oil minister Owji says Europe will need oil supplies from Iran this winter amid rising gas prices.

Gazprom has stopped sending gas to Latvia, adding the country to the list of countries which had already been excluded from Russian energy supplies.

The European Commission asks EU member states to use 15 percent less gas from the start of next month to the end of March. The move is being made in case Russia cuts off supplies to the 27-nation bloc despite assurances from Moscow that all gas contracts will be honoured.

President Biden calls on Congress to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax.

Germany's annual inflation has hit record high in April due to rising energy prices amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.