“There is a risk that right-wing extremists will try to use high gas prices as a new pretext for calling for protests,” German Interior Minister Nancy Wieser said in an interview with local newspaper Handelsblatt.

She noted: “They want to exacerbate crises in order to benefit from them, so we are ready for possible new protests.”

Meanwhile, the head of Germany’s Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, made it clear that without supplies from Russia, Germany would not have enough gas reserves for the coming winter.

Müller told the German newspaper Bild that “gas storage facilities are 65% full, better than in previous weeks, but still not enough to get through the winter without Russian gas.”

Germany’s gas storage facilities have been 66.44% full since last Friday as they filled at a slower pace compared to previous days, data from the European Gas Infrastructure Association showed earlier.

Nord Stream AG, operator of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, announced Monday that it will be closed for maintenance, including testing of mechanical components and automation systems. Some countries have expressed concern that supplies will be reduced or stopped after maintenance is completed.