Vladimir Putin 's Kremlin is threatening to double down on its energy blackmail on the European Union with the upcoming closure of Nord Stream 1 – a pipeline that feeds the bloc with gas – which is set to close from August 31 to September 2, energy giant Gazprom announced. As EU countries have been filling up their gas storage ahead of winter, European leaders are growing concerned the suspension could go beyond the September 2 deadline, leaving the EU without enough gas to go through winter. Dr Benjamin Schmitt, a former European Energy Security Advisor at the US Department of State, says repeated energy threats could ultimately backfire on Russia 's economy and energy revenues.