Putin addressed Europe: you want more gas, lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2.
The Russian president told the European countries that if they want more gas, they should lift the sanctions related to the Nord Stream pipeline.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday denied any connection between his country and Europe’s energy crisis and said that if the European Union wants more gas, it should lift the sanctions related to the Nord Stereo 2 gas pipeline.
Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, Putin stressed that Moscow will stick to its commitments in energy contracts.
Putin said: “Honestly, if you need and if it is difficult for you, remove the sanctions imposed on Nord Stream 2, which will be equivalent to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. “Just press the button and everything will be sorted.”
Nord Stream 2, which is located on the Baltic Sea and parallel to Nord Stream 1, was built a year ago, but Germany decided to stop its participation in this project a few days before the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The drop in gas supply by Russia caused the price of gas to double at the beginning of this year. The gas crisis in Europe has become much more intense since the last few weeks when Russian gas exports to Europe through the important Nordstream 1 pipeline stopped indefinitely. Although the Russians continue to export gas to Europe through the pipeline through Ukraine, the amount is much lower compared to the volume of Russian gas exports before the Ukraine crisis.
In Germany, the lack of fuel has intensified concerns about the possible bankruptcy of gas distribution companies. A few days ago, Klaus Dieter Maubach, the CEO of Uniper, Germany’s gas import company, warned that the country may be forced to ration gas in the winter season.
According to Goldman Sachs, quotas in Germany will mean the loss of 65% of the country’s industry.
According to official statistics, gas storage warehouses in Germany are now 85% full, but Klaus Müller, the secretary of the country’s energy policy body, warned last month that even if this figure reaches 95%, it will only last for two months. German gas demand will be sufficient.
