“Putin would have achieved his goal”
Habeck gives Nord Stream 2 a clear rejection
7/22/2022 1:04 am
Gas is flowing through Nord Stream 1 again, but Federal Economics Minister Habeck sees no reason to feel safe. Germany must find alternatives – and by that he expressly does not mean the finished Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has warned against taking the resumption of Russian gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline as a sign of reliability. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin repeatedly uses the availability of gas strategically to divide Germany and Europe, said the Green politician on ZDF’s “heute journal”. “We have to accept that Putin is using this gas lever against us,” warned Habeck. Germany must therefore find alternatives and be frugal.
Despite fears to the contrary in Germany, Russia resumed gas supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 on Thursday after maintenance. However, as before the 10-day freeze, flow was limited to around 40 percent of capacity. Russia justifies this with the lack of a turbine, which was temporarily detained in Canada due to sanctions, but was then released at the request of Germany. It is unclear where the turbine is currently located.
Habeck called the turbine an “advanced argument” and a “flamboyant game” by Russia. The Gazprom company has enough turbines. This one turbine is not needed. Even before the maintenance of Nord Stream 1, the line could have been run at 100 percent, said Habeck. He vehemently opposed the idea of putting the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline into operation. Putin had also referred to this completed line, which has not yet been approved for operation and is subject to US sanctions. Habeck said going live would change nothing and increase dependence on Russian gas. Putin would then have achieved his goal of breaking sanctions. “That would be raising the white flag in Germany and Europe. We shouldn’t do that under any circumstances.”
The Economics Minister also emphasized the cohesion in Germany despite high energy prices and inflation. “We are a strong country,” said Habeck. There is a strong interaction between people, business, civil society and politics. “Putin will see how strong we are,” said Habeck.