Germany's vice-chancellor has again urged residents to save energy after Russia's Gazprom announced a significant reduction in natural gas supplies through a key pipeline, AP reported.

Gazprom announced Tuesday that it was cutting gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 subsea pipeline to Germany by 40 percent, and a day later announced further cuts, bringing the total reduction to about 60 percent.

The company cited a technical problem, saying Canadian sanctions prevented German partner Siemens Energy from delivering equipment that had been sent for overhaul.

The German government rejected the argument, saying maintenance should not have been an issue until the fall, and Russia's decision was a political gambit aimed at sowing uncertainty and rising prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin “is doing what was to be feared from the beginning: He is reducing the volume of gas, not in one go but step by step,” German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said.

Habeck, who is also economy minister, had already launched a campaign last week urging people to save energy.