Russian vitality big Gazprom would additional scale back pure gasoline flows by way of the Nord Stream pipeline to twenty% of capability, citing tools repairs. The transfer ramps up issues that Russia might reduce off gasoline as political leverage over the warfare in Ukraine, simply as Europe tries to shore up storage for winter.
Gazprom mentioned on Monday it could reduce gasoline deliveries to 33 million cubic metres a day from Wednesday.
Nonetheless, the German economic system ministry mentioned there was "no technical motive" for additional cuts in deliveries. In line with Berlin, it is a "pretext" and a "political" resolution to place strain on the West within the context of the warfare in Ukraine.
For his half, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that Russia was waging an "open gasoline warfare in opposition to a united Europe" and known as on the latter to "retaliate" by strengthening sanctions.
The supervisor of Ukraine's gasoline transport system, GTSOU, additionally expressed concern on Monday night a few "speedy improve in strain on the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gasoline pipeline" on the border between Russia and Ukraine.
"The change in strain occurred with none warning from Gazprom," GTSOU mentioned in a press release, including that "a change in strain can result in emergency conditions on the principle pipeline".
On Monday the Czech vitality minister mentioned Moscow's cuts in gasoline provides had been "additional proof" that Europe "should scale back its dependence on Russian provides as quickly as potential."
"Unity and solidarity are one of the best weapons we've got in opposition to Putin, and I'm positive that's what we are going to present at present," mentioned Jozef Sikela, forward of a gathering in Brussels along with his 27 counterparts to agree on a plan to cut back the EU's gasoline consumption.
The 4,500-kilometre Nord Stream pipeline carries gasoline from Russia to Germany, and the Russian portion is operated by Gazprom.
The West accuses Moscow of utilizing vitality as a weapon in retaliation for the sanctions adopted after the invasion of Ukraine.
Post a Comment