Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Russian government has said it is ready to return to supplying gas to Europe. This was said at a time when gas supplies to the Blue Continent were cut off due to wars between Moscow and Ukraine, as well as damage to the Nord Stream pipeline.
In a statement, Russian Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Alexander Novak said his party is ready to supply via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The pipeline itself is not yet actively operational due to German resistance.
“The infrastructure is ready. If the European counterparts make the necessary legal decisions regarding the certification and the removal of the restrictions, I think Russia can guarantee the supply through this pipeline in a short time,” Novak said.).
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Earlier this month, the Nord Stream pipeline flowing under the Baltic Sea started leaking. Novak said Russia was investigating the leak and described the damage to the pipeline as “sabotage”.
Moscow itself has accused the United States (USA) of being behind this leak. The Biden administration said the Russian allegations were “absurd”.
Meanwhile, in addition to Nord Stream 2, Russia has also supplied Italy with gas via Austria. This supply was also delayed due to a number of problems, including the Moscow gas company Gazprom and the Italian energy supplier, ENI.
“The Austrian operator said it is ready to confirm the appointment of LLC Gazprom Export Transport, which will enable the continued supply of Russian gas through Austria,” said the Russian state-owned company.
Previously, gas supplies from Russia to Europe were hampered due to the Blue Continent’s sanctions against Moscow related to Ukraine. Russia has also asked European countries to pay for gas in rubles to be cut off from the global financial system.
Europe has also repeatedly accused Russia of the often disrupted gas flow through Nord Stream 1 recently. Blue Continent said Moscow had used energy as a weapon to oppose the European Union’s (EU) stance in support of ‘Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on the country of the White Bear.
Russia rejects these accusations. The Kremlin said this was due to a turbine malfunction in the pipeline. The turbine, produced by the German company Siemens, would have suffered damage and the European sanctions on Russia made it difficult for Moscow to restore gas flows.
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(wia)
