The Russian president says the “ball is in the EU’s court”, but Germany quickly rejects the offer.
Image source, ReutersPresident Vladimir Putin has said the gas taps can be still turned on for Russian supplies to the EU, despite sharp political disagreements.
Russia has not delivered gas to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 line since August, and Nord Stream 2 was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The February invasion led to gas price hikes, and EU customers face record tariffs this winter.
But Germany quickly rejected Mr Putin’s offer to send gas via Nord Stream 2.
At the same time, a government spokesman in Berlin said Nord Stream 1 – which is not under sanctions – was an option, but gas was not flowing “because Russia did not deliver”.
Russia has been accused of using gas supplies as a weapon against the West since the invasion of Ukraine – a charge repeatedly denied by the Kremlin.
“The ball, as they say, is now in the European Union’s court – let them just open the tap,” Mr Putin said on Wednesday at the annual Russian Energy Week in Moscow.
“We do not limit anyone in anything,” he said, adding that Moscow was ready to supply additional volumes of gas in the autumn-winter period.
But despite Mr Putin’s words, a resumption of gas supplies to Europe seems unlikely. Nord Stream 2 was halted because of the invasion, and Nord Stream 1 has suffered severe disruption:
- In June, Russia cut Nord Stream 1 supplies by 75%
- In July, the line was shut for 10 days, with Russia citing maintenance, before reopening at lower capacity
- In August, the line was shut entirely, with Russia again blaming equipment problems
- In September, leaks in Nord Stream 1 and 2 were reported – with the EU blaming sabotage
At the Moscow forum, Mr Putin said the recent leaks were an “act of international terrorism”. But he said Russia was ready to resume supplies via the one intact part of Nord Stream 2.
And the Kremlin leader also proposed creating an alternative European gas hub via Turkey. Ankara is yet to publicly comment on the issue.
Many European countries – and Germany in particular – had become increasingly reliant on Russian gas to meet their energy needs.
Over the past year, Russia cut its gas supplies to EU states by 88%, according to David Fyfe, chief economist with research firm Argus Media.
Wholesale prices of gas in Europe have more than doubled over the same period, he says.
Meanwhile, EU energy ministers are discussing in Prague urgent measures to tackle the energy crisis in the 27-member bloc.
A gas price cap has been suggested – but some countries are reported to be opposed to the move.
