German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday accused Russia of intentionally lowering fuel flows to Europe and shot down Moscow’s argument that sanctions have been stopping the supply of a large turbine required for pumping fuel.
Throughout a go to to engineering firm Siemens Power in Mülheim an der Ruhr, the place the turbine on the coronary heart of the dispute is presently saved, the chancellor accused Russia of utilizing bogus technical points as an excuse for a politically motivated lower to fuel provides, that are elevating fears about EU provides over the winter.
“The turbine is there, it may be delivered. All somebody has to do is say I would like it, and it will likely be there in a short time,” Scholz instructed reporters.
Since mid-June, Russia has curbed fuel deliveries to Germany and different European states through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which is presently solely used at 20 % of its capability. Russian fuel export monopoly Gazprom argues that sanctions, which western international locations imposed towards Russia for invading Ukraine, are in charge for the falling provides. Particularly, Gazprom insists that one of many generators required for fuel transport, which was in Canada for upkeep, couldn’t be delivered again to Russia as a result of sanctions.
The German authorities, nevertheless, intervened in Canada to make sure the turbine might be despatched again to Germany, the place it’s now presently awaiting transport to Russia.
Scholz’s public intervention on Wednesday was an try and counter the Russian narrative that western sanctions have been in charge for the issues surrounding the turbine and the fuel deliveries.
“Nothing stands in the best way of additional transport,” the chancellor mentioned, including that Germany and worldwide companions had issued all the required authorizations to permit quick supply of the turbine. “There are not any explanation why this supply can’t happen,” he went on, arguing that the one cause for the delay was Russia’s refusal to request an onward supply.
Scholz added Germany couldn’t merely ship the turbine to Russia “and dump it off at a pier” in St Petersburg however wanted to coordinate with Gazprom and Russian authorities.
He additionally mentioned Russia might alternatively ship extra fuel through different pipelines if it needed. A spokesperson for Siemens instructed reporters the disputed turbine was simply one in every of a number of used for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and that it was technically attainable to maintain the pipeline at full capability even with out that one lacking turbine.
Scholz warned that even when Russia finally organized supply of the turbine, Germany have to be ready “that there could also be any pretextual causes put ahead at any time that one thing just isn’t working.”
