The German government should have more influence over gas supplies, Economics Minister Robert Habeck said amid tensions with Russia's main gas supplier, Reuters reported.

The options for state intervention in both storage expansion and seizure are currently very limited legally, Robert Habeck told Der Spiegel magazine.

This is unsatisfactory and the last word has not been said yet, he said.

Sky-high gas prices in Europe have received an additional boost from fears that Russia could invade neighboring Ukraine, which could lead to Western sanctions and gas supply disruptions.

High prices and low gas supplies have also raised concerns that industry and households could run out of gas or overpay for it this winter.

Germany's 24 billion cubic meters of gas storage represents about a quarter of annual domestic consumption, according to industry group GIE, but stocks are now just 45%, down 9% from a year ago.

Habeck said the government should do more to protect stocks ahead of next winter

He also said that Germany would not have to pay compensation if its regulator decides that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline does not comply with German and European Union laws.