EXPLAINER: Can Europe live without Russian natural gas?

BERLIN (AP) — Europe is waiting to see if the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that brings natural gas from Russia to Germany will reopen as scheduled after routine maintenance. While there are signals that at least some gas is likely to flow Thursday, it’s still uncertain and countries are bracing for the possibility it won’t. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been increasing pressure on Europe over sanctions and weapons deliveries to Ukraine, warning this week that gas flows could keep dwindling. If the pipeline doesn’t reopen, Europe will be forced into tough conservation measures to avoid running out of natural gas for heating, electricity and industry this winter. Even if Nord Stream 1 does restart, Europe will struggle in the cold months.