MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Wednesday that Moscow is able to resume fuel provides to Europe through a hyperlink of the Germany-bound Nord Stream 2 pipeline beneath the Baltic Sea.
Speaking at a Moscow vitality discussion board, Putin once more charged that the U.S. was probably behind the explosions that ripped by way of each hyperlinks of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of many two hyperlinks of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, inflicting a large fuel leak and taking them out of service.
The U.S. has beforehand rejected comparable allegations by Putin. Several European governments stated the undersea explosions that ripped by way of each Nord Stream pipelines had been probably brought on by sabotage however stopped wanting assigning blame.
The Russian chief has repeatedly taunted the West by elevating the prospect of sending fuel by way of Nord Stream 2, a political nonstarter for the German authorities and others.
Reaffirming a declare that he made final week, Putin stated that the assault on the pipelines was launched by those that needed to weaken Europe by halting the movement of low cost fuel from Russia.
“The act of sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 is an act of international terrorism aimed at undermining energy security of the entire continent by blocking supplies of cheap energy,” he stated, alleging that the U.S. desires to power Europe to modify to importing dearer liquefied pure fuel.
“Those who want to rupture ties between Russia and the EU are behind the acts of sabotage on the Nord Stream,” he stated.
While Russia continues to be pumping fuel to Europe through Ukraine, the explosions on the Baltic pipelines have exacerbated acute vitality shortages confronted by Europe earlier than the winter season.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has by no means introduced pure fuel to Europe as a result of Germany prevented the flows from ever beginning simply earlier than Russia launched army motion in Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Before the explosions, Russia had lower off the parallel Nord Stream 1 pipeline on the heart of an vitality standoff with Europe. Russia has blamed technical issues for the stoppage, however European leaders name it an try and divide them over their assist for Ukraine.
Plunging Russian fuel provides have prompted costs to soar, driving inflation, pressuring governments to assist ease the ache of sky-high vitality payments for households and companies and elevating fears of rationing and recession.
Putin stated that one of many two hyperlinks of the Nord Stream 2 has remained pressurized and seems to be prepared for service, including that its capability stands at 27 billion cubic meters a yr. He famous that if checks show that the pipeline is secure to function, Russia stands prepared to make use of it to pump fuel to Europe.
The Russian chief additionally stated that Russia may enhance the capability of its fuel exports to Turkey and ultimately flip right into a hub for fuel provides to Europe.
Putin once more scoffed at Western plans to cap costs for Russian vitality exports, saying that “Russia won’t act against common sense and pay the other’s welfare.”
“We won’t supply energy to the countries that would cap the prices,” he stated. “I would like to warn those, who instead of business partnership and market mechanisms try to use con tricks and blunt blackmail, that we won’t do anything to our own detriment.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”