Throughout Europe, natural gas prices are fluctuating as supply fears intensify alongside calls for further sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported.

Several EU members are pressing for new sanctions to be imposed against Russia after reports of atrocities near Kyiv. Benchmark futures rose by 7%.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday that Germany and its allies will agree on “further measures” against Moscow in the coming days, without providing details. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the EU should consider ending its purchases of Russian gas.

Traders are also closely watching buyers after Moscow introduced ruble payments for the fuel. While some are still evaluating the plan, Lithuania, a relatively small client, has stopped importing gas from Moscow entirely.

Despite the recent developments, shipments from Russia via key pipeline routes are broadly stable.

In Amsterdam, Dutch front-month prices rose 1.3% to 113.65 euros a megawatt-hour by 10 am, after recording the first weekly gain in a month last week.