The talks with Qatar and EU member states, focused on securing additional seaborne liquefied natural gas cargoes, have gained urgency after high-level security negotiations between Washington and Moscow this week yielded minimal progress.

This has increased concerns that conflict could hit gas supplies at a time when Europe is facing record prices. However officials warned that there was no “magic wand” to solve the potential shortfall with the continent already in the grip of an energy crisis…

There are fears that conflict could lead to a further drop in gas supplies to Europe, which is facing a growing cost of living crisis as gas prices have soared.

With gas stocks at record low levels for the time of year, officials fear Europe could face industrial disruption, blackouts, or even a loss of heating supplies if Russian exports were to fall sharply.