As of: 07/14/2022 6:40 p.m
According to Russia, the continued operation of Nord Stream 1 also depends on the West. Sanctions in connection with the turbine repaired in Canada are listed as a possible obstacle.
According to Russia, the restart of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline after the current maintenance work is also the responsibility of the West. For example, Western sanctions are listed as a possible obstacle. “As for the operation of the gas pipeline in the future, much will depend on our partners – both in terms of demand for gas and in terms of preventing the negative impact of illegal restrictive measures,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, according to the Interfax agency.
Zakharova specifically referred to the case of a gas turbine that was overhauled in Canada but then not returned to Russia due to Western sanctions. According to Russian information, the turbine is indispensable for restarting Nord Stream 1.
In the meantime, however, Canada has decided to hand over the turbine to Germany. From there it is to be passed on to Russia. The European Union has not yet imposed sanctions on Russian gas, which is why delivery from Germany would be legal.
Maintenance until July 21st
The federal government had previously stated that with the delivery of the turbine serviced in Canada, there was no longer any reason for Russia to throttle gas supplies through Nord Stream 1. The pipeline is currently being maintained until July 21 anyway.
In June, Russia significantly reduced gas deliveries to Germany, citing the missing part as the reason. In Europe, on the other hand, there is currently concern that Russia, for political reasons, will not be able to turn on the gas tap again after the current maintenance work on the pipes has been completed.
Only on Wednesday did the Russian energy company Gazprom declare that it could not make a forecast for the reopening of the Baltic Sea pipeline. The reason is that he lacks confirmation that the turbine will actually be delivered to the company responsible for the installation, Siemens.