Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, stated on Wednesday that Gazprom might begin gas shipments to Europe through the crucial Nord Stream 1 pipeline tomorrow provided it receives the required turbines.
According to media reports from his address at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin attributed the pipeline’s extended shutdown to German and Western sanctions. Meanwhile, he claimed that the delay in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was due to US pressure.
“Nord Steam 1 is currently all but shut off. There is an oil leak, which presents a risk of explosion and fire. The turbine won’t operate, “Reuters cited Putin as saying. “We’ll start Nord Stream 1 tomorrow if you give us a turbine. However, they provide us nothing.”
According to state-owned energy giant Gazprom, the complete interruption of gas supplies through Nord Stream 1 was caused by Siemens, a business that services turbines, not responding to its demands.
Due to deteriorating ties following its invasion of Ukraine in late February, Russia has recently restricted the transit of natural gas to Europe.
The amount of natural gas flowing through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline into Germany by Gazprom was reduced to 20% of its maximum capacity in July.
On Wednesday of last week, the firm shut down the pipeline for repair, but late on Friday, it announced that it would not resume exports due to an oil spill associated with technical problems with the turbines.
According to Reuters, the Russian leader asserted that Poland and Ukraine have decided to cut off alternative gas supplies into Europe.
According to Bloomberg data, the price of natural gas in Europe has increased by around 300% this year, placing further strain on the continent’s economy. In 2020, natural gas provided around 24% of the energy used in the European Union.
