Kremlin: ‘Gas deliveries to Europe interrupted due to Western sanctions’ | Abroad

The Russian added that the full resumption of gas supplies by Russia through Nord Stream 1 “undoubtedly” depends on whether the West lifts its sanctions against Moscow. “It is the sanctions from the West that have brought us to the situation we see now.”

The largest Russian energy supplier Gazprom announced Friday night that the suspension of gas deliveries westwards through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would be extended indefinitely, due to ‘defects’ of a turbine along the pipeline.

Gazprom has also blamed Western sanctions for the interruption in gas supplies, saying that manufacturer Siemens was unable to repair the turbines used in Nord Stream 1 due to sanctions against the Russian state energy company. The EU has rejected Gazprom’s claims and accused Putin of them to use gas export as a weapon.

Nord Stream 1 is the largest gas pipeline from Russia to Europe and has a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Continuing deliveries through the pipeline is considered crucial to avoid a deepening of the energy crisis. The energy crisis in Europe, caused by lower Russian gas flows, is therefore seen as an important test of the West’s support for Ukraine.

Analysts say Russia hopes record energy prices and impending food shortages this winter will prompt Europe to push Ukraine toward surrender. Russia would do this because the military goals are not being met in Ukraine for the time being.

Russian officials are keen to point out growing anger in the EU over rising prices, with Peskov today saying it was clear that life was “getting worse for people, businessmen and companies in Europe”.

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