Business & Economy

Berlin expects Gazprom to fulfill its Nord Stream commitments

Berlin, Jul 20 (EFE).- Germany on Wednesday said it expects Gazprom to resume its gas supply through the Nord Stream pipeline while the Russian company said it cannot ensure safe flow.

Gazprom suspended supplies last week for maintenance work, although the cutoff should theoretically end on Thursday.

“We are prepared to respond to any eventuality, but there are no technical reasons that justify a suspension of supplies,” the German government’s deputy spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said.

Moscow said there had been delays in repair work on a turbine retained in Canada due to Western sanctions enforced over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Berlin considered the claim a mere “pretext” since the piece should not be returned until September according to the deadline established for maintenance work. Its return from Canada was preemptively authorized.

Hoffmann said Germany was confident that Gazprom would “fulfill its contractual obligations”.

“Gazprom once again draws attention to the fact that the return of the turbine engine (…), and the future maintenance of other turbines for the Portovaya compressor station directly influence the safe operation of the Nord Stream,” the Russian company said in a statement.

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Gazprom has complied, complies and intends to comply with all its obligations.

The Nord Stream gas pipeline, however, may have to further reduce its supplies to Europe if the turbine is not returned, he added. EFE

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