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Stop valve at the Russkaya compressor station. File photoMOSCOW, May 1.The next year and a half in almost any scenario will be a difficult time for Europe, which does not have enough alternatives in case Russia cuts off natural gas supplies, the Washington Post says. «In almost any scenario, the next 18 months will be a painful time for Europe» , the article says, noting that «the effects of high prices are spreading around the world» as governments «try to power their factories, heat their homes and keep their power plants running.» number of alternatives to avoid serious economic problems this winter» if Russia cuts off natural gas supplies. Edward Chow, an energy security expert at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said «a very dangerous game is being played.» «I don't I know how it must end. that this will end very badly for both Western Europe and Russia,» Chou said, quoted by the newspaper. a split began over disagreements over Russian gasRussian President Vladimir Putin on March 23 announced the transfer of payments for natural gas supplies to the EU countries and other states that have introduced restrictive measures against Russia into rubles in order to abandon the use of dollars and euros in calculations. Then the president signed a corresponding decree and said that if «unfriendly» countries do not pay in rubles from April 1, then Russia will consider this a default on gas contracts. Under the new scheme, Gazprombank will open special currency and ruble accounts for settlements of foreign buyers for gas. The buyer will be able to transfer funds to the first account in the currency specified in the contract for the supply of «blue fuel», the bank will sell it on the Moscow Exchange, after which it will credit rubles to the account of the gas buyer and from this account settlements with the gas supplier — Gazprom will be made «.