Benchmark prices dropped as much as 8.8% on Monday, extending last week’s decline. Germany, the U.K. and others plan to spend billions to ease their reliance on Russian imports, rescue local energy companies, and cap prices to alleviate pressures on businesses and households.

With European energy prices at acute levels, there are huge risks that could destabilise the whole social, economic, and political fabric of Europe.

Brent were up $1.04, or 1.1%, at $91.88 a barrel, WTI gained 69 cents, or 0.8%, to $85.79, down 1.2% this week.

Benchmark futures fell as much as 9.6%, following extreme volatility this month. Rising gas stockpiles and ample supplies of liquefied natural gas have pulled prices back from August records, but they’re still more than seven times higher than the typical levels for this time of year.

The Russian-Chinese interstate interaction can be regarded as a model. The foreign policy tandem of Moscow and Beijing plays a key role in ensuring global and regional stability.

Brent was down $1.38, or 1.5%, to $92.72 a barrel, WTI fell $1.17, or 1.3%, to $87.31.

This year has already seen Russia-China energy cooperation increase significantly. Oil and gas deliveries to China have risen since Russia's invasion began in February, and new supply and infrastructure deals were signed a few weeks before Russia's invasion was launched.

Benchmark futures jumped as much as 12%. The European Commission’s radical intervention plan includes raising 140 billion euros ($140 billion) for consumers from energy companies’ earnings, as also mandatory curb on peak power demand and boosting liquidity.

The plan is expected to raise €140bn, including €117bn from the temporary revenue cap on inframarginal electricity producers and €25bn from the temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable surplus profits made in the fiscal year 2022 on energy undertakings in the oil, gas, coal and refinery sectors

The risks of shortages drove gas prices higher for a third day. The European Commission this week unveiled radical intervention plan including raising 140 billion euros ($140 billion) for consumers from energy companies’ earnings, mandatory curb on peak power demand and boosting liquidity.