BERLIN—Russia shut down its primary artery for pure gasoline to Europe for upkeep on Wednesday, in what Western governments see as the newest salvo within the Kremlin’s financial battle on the continent.
The halt comes as European nations race to fill gas storage facilities to stop a scarcity within the midst of winter. Shortages would set off rationing, probably kneecapping business and tipping the continent’s already struggling economic system right into a recession.
