Russia Gazprom keeps gas pipeline switched off for Europe

The Russian Gazprom supply was supposed to be renewed for Europe today, but the company stated that a technical issue had been discovered and that it would not be reopened until it was fixed, reports Russian media on Saturday.

“The Federal Office for Environmental, Technical, and Nuclear Supervision has issued a warning that the detected damage prevents the gas turbine engine from operating safely”, said Gazprom.

On August 19, Gazprom said that due to routine maintenance, gas flow via the pipeline would be stopped from August 31 to September 2.

The European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Erick Mamer, stated that Russia’s explanation was false.

“Gazprom’s announcement this afternoon that is is one again shutting down North Stream 1 under fallacious pretenses is another confirmation of its unreliability as a supplier” ,said Mamer

In June, Russia reduced flows through the pipeline to 40% of capacity and further to 20% in July.

Ursula von der Leyen, the chief of the European Commission, urged the German MPs to set a price cap to the Russian pipeline gas in order to eliminate Vladimir Putin’s manipulations.

Nord stream 1 is the biggest pipeline transporting natural gas between Russia and Europe via Germany.

Gazprom has not stated when the issues would be resolved or when operations might well resume.