Putin accused Europe of being responsible for the current energy crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is still possible to resume gas supplies to the European Union despite sharp political differences.
Russia has not supplied Europe with gas through the “Nord Stream 1” pipeline since August, and work on the “Nord Stream 2” pipeline was suspended following Russia invaded Ukraine.
The February invasion led to higher gas prices, which are expected to increase during the winter season.
But Germany quickly rejected Putin’s offer to provide gas via “Nord Stream 2”.
A government spokesman in Berlin said that Nord Stream 1, which is not subject to sanctions, is an option, but the gas is not flowing “because Russia did not do that.”
Russia has been accused of using gas supplies as a weapon once morest the West since the invasion of Ukraine, a charge the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.
On Wednesday, Putin said during the annual Russian Energy Week in Moscow that “the ball, as they say, is now in the court of the European Union.”
“We do not restrict anyone in anything,” he said, adding that Moscow is ready to supply additional quantities of gas in the autumn and winter period.
Despite Putin’s words, a resumption of gas supplies to Europe seems unlikely. Nord Stream 2 was discontinued due to the invasion, and Nord Stream 1 experienced problems:
- In June, Russia cut supplies via Nord Stream 1 by 75%.
- In July, the line was closed for 10 days, which Russia attributed to maintenance work, before it reopened at a lower capacity.
- In August, the entire line was shut down, with Russia once more blaming equipment problems.
- In September, Nord Stream 1 and 2 leaks were reported.
At a Moscow forum, Putin said the recent leaks were an “act of international terrorism”. But he said Russia was ready to resume supplies via the only intact part of Nord Stream 2.
Putin suggested the establishment of an alternative European gas hub via Turkey. Ankara has not yet publicly commented on this issue.
Many European countries – and Germany in particular – are becoming increasingly dependent on Russian gas for their energy needs.
Over the past year, Russia has reduced its gas supplies to European Union countries by 88%, according to David Fife, chief economist at research firm Argus Media.
Fife says wholesale gas prices in Europe have more than doubled over the same period.
Meanwhile, EU energy ministers are discussing in Prague urgent measures to tackle the 27-member bloc’s energy crisis.
A cap on gas prices has been proposed – but some countries are said to be opposed to the move.
