Berlin and Moscow are having problems with natural gas supplies pumped via the Nord Stream pipeline blamed on more than supply problems.
The German Economy Minister Robert Habeck asked why the gas exports have been reduced by 40%, which will impact a lot more.
Russian Gas as Economic Weapon
Habeck said in an interview last Sunday that Russia's Gazprom has lessened gas exports to Germany and several European nations affected by technical problems due to a German firm, reported RT.
He spoke on TV and made remarks about the situation; he added measures taken to solve the gas problem that relates to the poor energy security experienced late.
It is understood that Germany is very dependent on energy exports from Russia; the latter cannot do without these energy supplies, cited News E-Servicis.
Last Tuesday, Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas company, publicly stated a 40% reduction in shipments to Germany through the Nord Stream pipeline.
According to the energy firm, the German company Siemens, which had been commissioned to fix several compressor units, did not return the equipment on time, exacerbating the pipeline to function below capacity, noted Mass News.
Many nations like Germany asserted how Russia had weaponized its gas imports because of the support for Ukraine; also, many bloc states have supported sanctions.
Berlin and Moscow, after the Gazprom announcement, are at odds. The press asked the German energy minister if the public should ready itself for a harsh winter regarding fewer natural gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1. He told the media it's still under speculation, even if a grim lack of heating is faced.
Germany Anticipated Latest Gas Supply Reduction
German officials have been alert that it cannot be avoided that Nord Stream 1 could have fewer natural gas deliveries cut by 60%. To prepare for this emergency, the government has contingencies for low gas supplies like from Nord Stream 1.
Habeck remarked that government efforts to keep gas reserves at a reasonable level for the time of the year, which is 57%. He added they would watch the situation.
One of the most crucial factors is for the gas supply to be adequate by winter, which should be at 90% as dictated by law.He said that Germany would need to buy more gas on the market while conserving energy to compensate for the loss. The German official remarked that Vladimir Putin has the gas supply, so European countries will pay more.
Habeck emerged less optimistic about the winter season in a five-page outline of Germany's energy policy cited by DPA on Sunday, asserting it could be difficult unless the country and its enterprises start trying to conserve energy.
Many European nations are paying for a record price hike of Russian energy that's getting higher. The special operation in the Donbas, Ukraine, which started in February, was fatal to the market, leading to rising costs caused by economic sanctions that boomeranged on bloc states and the US.
The EU has blocked or lessened imports of Russian coal and oil but left Russian gas untouched by the sanctions. Many bloc countries like Germany cannot survive without it.
Germany and its business representatives said cutting off Russian gas will kill the economy and is tantamount to economic suicide. Later, Vladimir Putin decreed all payments are in rubles or no supply, but a few agreed compared to others.
Berlin and Moscow are at odds over reduced natural gas supplies pumped via Nord Stream 1, which has problems attributed to Germany; like many bloc countries helping the US and supporting Ukraine, they fear it's a reprisal meant to wreak havoc with the EU economy especially.
