Russian government declared on Wednesday that it will impose sanctions on 31 foreign energy businesses.

The act will be taken in retaliation for Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister, Robert Habeck, accused Russia of using energy “as a weapon.”

Germany has been under pressure from Ukraine and other European countries to make headway in weaning itself off Russian energy supplies, since the invasion.

Germany is working on building up gas reserves to prepare for the winter, according to Habeck.

“It has to be said that the situation is coming to a head, in such a way that the use of energy as a weapon is now being realized in several areas,” Habeck told.

He added, “The gas storage facilities must be full by winter or else we will be in a situation where we can easily be blackmailed.”