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Putin accused Europe of being responsible for the current energy crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin said it is still possible to resume gas supplies to the European Union despite strong political differences.
Russia has not supplied gas to Europe through the “Nord Stream 1” pipeline since August, and work on the “Nord Stream 2” pipeline was halted after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The February invasion led to a rise in gas prices, which are expected to rise during the winter season.
But Germany quickly turned down Putin’s offer to supply gas via “Nord Stream 2”.
A government spokesman in Berlin said Nord Stream 1, which is not subject to sanctions, is an option, but the gas is not flowing “because Russia hasn’t.”
Russia has been accused of using gas supplies as a weapon against 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 field of the European Union.”
“We do not limit anyone to 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 has been discontinued due to the invasion and Nord Stream 1 has encountered problems:
- In June, Russia reduced supplies via Nord Stream 1 by 75%.
- In July, the line was closed for 10 days, which Russia attributed to maintenance work, before reopening at lower capacity.
- In August, the entire line was shut down, with Russia again blaming the equipment problems.
- In September, Nord Stream 1 and 2 leaks were reported.
In a Moscow forum, Putin said the recent leaks were an “act of international terrorism”. But he said Russia is ready to resume supplies through the only intact part of Nord Stream 2.
Putin has suggested the creation of a European alternative 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 cut 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 more than doubled over the same period.
Meanwhile, EU energy ministers are discussing urgent measures in Prague to address the 27-member bloc’s energy crisis.
A limit on gas prices has been proposed, but some countries are said to be against the move.
