1. 40% is the volume that allows both industry and the residential sector (main consumers) to use gas "on a grand scale, without really thinking about saving. This is not the minimum required amount of gas, but with a good margin.
2. In the EU, thanks to the "efforts" of the Kremlin prostitutes, nuclear power plants were stopped, the electricity of which provided both industrial enterprises and heat in houses (yes, you can heat up not only with gas!).
3. There is a group of people in the EU who have a direct personal interest in gas supplies from Russia. No, they are not worried about providing European industry with gas, they are afraid of losing "bonuses" from the Kremlin, for lobbying sales of Russian gas.
4. As a result - The return of the nuclear power plant to operation, as well as the optimization of gas consumption, can significantly reduce gas consumption. Most likely it will not be the same 40%, but it will be a significant value - perhaps 20-30%. And this means that getting rid of dependence on bloody gas and oil will be easier than a gloomy picture is now being drawn.
1. 40% is the volume that allows German heavy industry to maintain it's output. If you reduce it to 35%, then some of the industries may need to shut down. And I am not sure about "grand scale". Even now natural gas has become so expensive that people are trying to use it as little as they can.
2. The ones that closed down nuclear power plants were from the Green Party. And anyone who is knowledgeable in the politics of Germany would understand that the Green Party is the most anti-Russian political force in Germany.
3. The same can be said about Qatar, Saudi.etc. Lobbying is not just restricted to Russia.
4. Try suggesting gas and electricity rationing to the citizens of European Union. Let's see how they react.