Russian gas supply halt in Ukraine crisis would hurt EU economics: Experts

The bloc would need to both hike imports of liquefied natural gas and impose emergency measures to cut demand.

The European Union could cope with a short term halt to all Russian gas imports but doing so would have "profound economic consequences" and require emergency measures to curb demand, according to analysis by the think tank Bruegel.

Escalating tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine have raised concerns about Russian gas flows to Europe, prompting the European Commission and the United States to investigate alternative supplies.

In an analysis due to be published on Thursday, Bruegel said that if Russia cut off all gas, the EU would need to both hike imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and