Resumption of deliveries by Nord Stream: “The ball is in the court of the EU”, says Putin, who blames the West
Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused the G7 and the EU of ” destroy “ the world energy market by wanting to cap the price of Russian oil, assuring that Moscow was ready to resume deliveries to Europe through the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, the Russian president claimed that “some Western politicians are actually destroying the global market economy” and “threaten the well-being of billions of people” with this capping project. He also claimed that the serious leaks that affected the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, in September were the result of an act of “international terrorism”.
“The beneficiaries are clear (…) Because [cet incident] reinforces the geopolitical importance of the remaining gas systems, those passing through the territory of Poland (…) and Ukraine, and which Russia has built at its own expense. But also in the United States, which can now deliver its energy at high prices”he estimated.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that part of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, an undersea tube that was never put into operation because of the offensive against Ukraine, was still working and assured that Moscow could deliver gas through this segment. “Russia is ready to resume deliveries”he said. “The ball is in the EU’s court, if they want it, they just have to turn on the tap”he judged, adding that the other gas pipelines of the Nord Stream system would only be repaired if their operation was guaranteed.
He also proposed, without giving concrete details, to now transit the bulk of Russian gas through the Black Sea. ” We could (…) route our main fuel and gas delivery routes through Turkey, creating the largest gas hub in Turkey. »
Vladimir Putin also said that the current situation was bringing some Europeans back to “Middle Ages”. “Ordinary Europeans are suffering. In one year, their electricity and gas bills have more than tripled. The population, as in the Middle Ages, began to stockpile wood for heating this winter.he assured.