For Russian President Putin, the leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines are "an act of international terrorism". The Kremlin boss already has a possible mastermind in mind. In order to secure energy supplies to Europe, the head of state has two options in mind.
After the leaks in the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered gas supplies through the still operational stretch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. "You just have to turn on the tap," Putin said during an appearance at the Russian Energy Week in Moscow. The tube was probably not so damaged that it can no longer be used, he said.
Severe damage was discovered on the two tubes of Nord Stream 1 and one tube of Nord Stream 2 in the Baltic Sea after explosions at the end of September. According to previous knowledge, at least two detonations had occurred, leading to four leaks. The EU, NATO and security circles, among others, immediately spoke of sabotage as the cause.
Putin spoke of an international terrorist attack on the pipelines. "There is no doubt this is an act of international terrorism, a deeply dangerous precedent," he said. The aim is to finally tear apart relations between the EU and Russia and to weaken Europe. Putin named the United States, among others, as alleged beneficiaries of the sabotage. The Kremlin chief had previously blamed the West for the leaks.
At the beginning of September, Russia stopped gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, citing technical problems that the sanctions allegedly mean that cannot be solved. The completed but uncertified and never commissioned Nord Stream 2 pipeline is on hold due to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has been pushing for the commissioning for months.
As an alternative to the Baltic Sea pipelines, the Kremlin chief also held out the prospect of increased diversion of Russian gas via Turkey to Europe. "The lost volume of gas transit via Nord Stream could be routed through the Black Sea by Russia, creating a huge gas hub in Turkey if our European partners are interested," Putin said in Moscow.
In any case, the Turkstream pipeline is safer than the route through the Baltic Sea, he said. Otherwise, Russia will in any case get rid of its gas on the world market, the 70-year-old assured. To this end, Russia is already expanding its infrastructure. In this context, Putin recalled the construction of the Siberian Power 2 pipeline to China and a gas pipeline to Mongolia.
Putin also commented on the planned oil price cap in the EU and in this connection threatened to stop supplying energy resources. "Russia will not go against common sense and pay for the welfare of others." And further: "We will not supply energy resources to countries that limit their prices."
In view of Putin's war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than seven and a half months, the EU formally approved further sanctions against Russia last week, including an oil price cap. Moscow was already responding with threats to divert its own oil exports. Putin also warned that such a price brake would worsen the investment climate worldwide.
