Ailing German gas importer Uniper has asked for a bail-out from the German government as it feels the impact of a huge reduction in gas supplies from Russia.

The proposal includes selling equity in the company to the federal government, the company announced on Friday.

Uniper also said that it would pass on price increases to customers as part of measures aimed at stemming further losses.

Uniper’s major shareholder, Fortum, is conducting talks with the government on the impact of the current gas supply restrictions, and has proposed a restructuring plan including establishing a supply security company owned by the government.

The German government has passed legislation facilitating federal aid for struggling energy companies.

Uniper plays a central role in Germany’s energy supply and supplies many public services with gas.

Uniper’s proposal suggests taking a credit line from the state development bank KfW amounting to €2 billion ($2.03 billion).

The measures are also intended to protect Uniper’s credit rating.

Russia’s state-owned energy firm Gazprom has significantly reduced supplies to Germany via its North Stream 1 pipeline through the Baltic Sea, and there are fears it could stop them altogether.

Gazprom blamed maintenance issues caused by Western sanctions for the reduced supply, although the move is seen by many leaders in Europe as a response to Western support for Ukraine.