The Berlin- Nord Stream pipeline, which channels Russian natural gas into Europe, closed on Monday for a scheduled maintenance, sparking fears across the continent that the Kremlin could end supplies in retaliation for sanctions against it . invasion of ukraine,
The pipeline connecting Russia’s Siberian gas fields to Germany under the Baltic Sea will remain closed for annual maintenance until July 21, the consortium behind the pipeline, which is majority-owned by Russia’s energy giant PAO Gazprom, said.
While the shutdowns happen every year, European politicians including Germany’s Energy Minister Robert Habeck and France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned on Sunday that Vladimir PutinThe government could use maintenance to stop gas supplies, and called on industry and households to do so. Be prepared for a lack of gas,
Gas prices are rising across Europe, and particularly in Germany, where some regions have already started rationing hot water, restricting the use of energy for street lighting and announcing that they Heating for cold weather will lower the temperature.
Mr Hebek said in a radio interview on Sunday that ending Russian gas supplies would lead to gas shortages and create social tensions, which can only be stopped by government subsidies and other market interventions.
Mr Hebek said households would need to cut their energy consumption by about a fifth in order for the country to get through the cold season without shutting down factories.
According to retailers, Germans are increasingly buying electric and oil-fired heating systems, as well as wood-burning stoves.
The gas flow circulating through Nord Stream’s twin pipes was reduced to 40% of their normal capacity in June, which Nord Stream attributed to technical problems due to the absence of turbines due to repairs, but due to exports to Canada. was held in. sanctions against Russia.
Canada’s government announced last week that it had made an exception for the turbine at the behest of the German government and would allow the equipment to be delivered to Germany, which would then transfer it to Russia.
“We welcome the decision of our Canadian friends and allies,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement.
As Europe races to distance itself from Russian energy, US natural-gas producers are struggling to keep up with demand and prices are rising. Factors including extreme weather and equipment needs have created a bottleneck in the midst of the war in Ukraine. Illustration: Laura Kerman and Sharon Shea
The move triggered criticism from Kyiv, which warned that making an exception to the sanctions was a concession to Moscow.
“This dangerous precedent violates international solidarity, goes against the principle of the rule of law and will have only one consequence: it will strengthen Moscow’s sense of impunity,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “
Russia is still exporting gas to Europe through a pipeline crossing Ukraine, which is operating at low capacity, despite the offensive that began on February 21.
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