Nord Stream as a weapon
Zelenskyy: Russia is waging an energy war with Europe
09/03/2022 10:44 p.m
“Russia wants to destroy the normal life of every European,” says the Ukrainian president. Not only tanks and rockets would be used as weapons, but also energy. Selenskyj calls on the continent for more cohesion – and better countermeasures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of an energy war and called for more unity in Europe. “Russia is trying to increase the energy pressure on Europe these days – the pumping of gas through the Nord Stream has been completely stopped,” said Zelenskyy in his daily video message in the evening. “Russia wants to destroy the normal life of every European – in all countries of our continent.”
It is about weakening and intimidating the states in Europe. In addition to tanks and missiles, Russia also uses energy as a weapon. This winter Russia is preparing the “decisive blow” in the energy sector. On the other hand, only greater cohesion would help, said Selenskyj. The Europeans should coordinate their countermeasures better and give each other more help. In addition, the pressure on Russia must be increased in order to limit the country’s oil and gas revenues.
Background to the allegations: Contrary to previous plans, Gazprom had not restarted gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1 in the morning. The Russian energy company justified this with an alleged leak in the Portovaya compressor station. The German Federal Network Agency expressed doubts about this justification. “According to the assessment of the Federal Network Agency, the defects alleged by the Russian side are not a technical reason for the cessation of operations,” wrote the authority in its gas supply management report.
In his speech, Zelenskyy also condemned the injury of several children at an arms show in Chernihiv. The Ukrainian President promised that the incident was “unacceptable” and that those responsible for this negligent demonstration would be punished. A grenade launcher shot was fired at a weapons exhibition in the regional capital of Chernihiv. Five people, including four children between the ages of two and twelve, were injured in the incident. The public prosecutor’s office has launched investigations.