Russia cuts gas to Europe and amasses military on western borders

US monitoring movement of troops and equipment along the border with Ukraine, but general admits they don’t know what to make of it

Russia dramatically cut its gas supply to Europe as it amassed troops on its western borders, triggering a response from the US military.

State-controlled Gazprom has halved its supply to Ukraine since Monday after cutting gas completely to a pipeline through Poland.

The move has been seen as the Kremlin’s latest attempt to ratchet up the pressure on Germany to approve the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline that goes directly to Germany.

Meanwhile, a top US general said on Wednesday that the United States was monitoring significant Russian military movement along the border with Ukraine, following reports of a military build-up in Russia’s west.