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Russia’s decision to resume the flow of natural gas through important pipelines on Thursday provided Germany with a moment of relief. Germany uses fuel to power its most important industries and heat half of its homes. However, it is unlikely that it will be higher.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that he intends to punish and divide European leaders as a club and even as a weapon for his energy exports. ..

He relies on that uncertainty to impose enormous economic and political costs on European leaders. These elected officials are under increasing pressure to lower energy prices, close factories and government buildings, and avoid gas distribution, which may require people to lower their thermostats in the winter. Leaders in some countries, such as Spain and Greece, are already opposed to the European Union’s plan to reduce gas use by all member states, and are far less dependent on Russia than Germany. Claims.

Many questions remain about the stability of the gas supply, which has begun to flow again in Nord Stream 1, a pipeline that connects Russia and Germany directly. But analysts said it was clear that Europe, especially Germany, could maintain its edge for months as to whether it had enough energy.

Russia’s state-owned energy monopoly, Gazprom, had already reduced its flow through the pipeline to 40% of its capacity in the weeks leading up to the 10-day shutdown for planned maintenance. Analysts warned that such levels would not be sufficient to prevent the energy crisis next winter.

“The resumption of gas supply from Russia via Nord Stream 1 is not a reason to clarify everything,” said Siegfried Raswrum, chairman of the Federation of German Industries. “It is not yet known if the gas will actually flow in the long term and in the contractually agreed amount.”

“Germany and Europe should not be playthings that threaten Russian politics,” he added.

On Wednesday, former European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had previously held a senior position in the German government, gass European Union member states to prepare for uncertain and volatile supplies before the winter. We introduced a proposal to reduce consumption by 15%.

Germany obtained 55% of its natural gas from Russia before Russian troops invaded Ukraine in late February. Few EU countries approach that level of dependence. This is a fact that is beginning to disrupt European integration into Russia and energy policy.

Many Europeans already consider Germany, Brock’s largest economy, to be a wealthy neighbor who is not always keen to help weaker nations. That feature was recently highlighted by the country’s attitude to support Greece, Spain, and other countries that use the euro when they were in financial struggle about 10 years ago.

Currently, some of these very same countries endure more suffering for their business and people when energy prices are soaring to help bail out Germany from its dependence on Russia. Signals that you do not want.

Spain’s energy minister, Teresa Ribera, said Thursday that her country would encourage citizens to reduce gas use, but not demand it. “Unlike other countries, we Spaniards do not live beyond our means in terms of energy,” she said. El País Echo the newspaper, the explanation used by some German ministers during the eurozone crisis.

The Greek government also opposed the European Union’s request to reduce gas usage by 15%. Greece relies on Russia to meet 40% of its gas demand, but its supply has not been reduced.

Stalking such sectors cuts off gas supply through pipelines across Ukraine and Poland, while limiting the amount of natural gas flowing under the Baltic Sea in the 760-mile Nord Stream 1 pipeline. It is the center of Mr. Putin’s strategy.

“The entire European energy system is at stake, and despite the resumption of Nord Stream 1 today, the region is in a difficult situation,” research firm Listad Energy said Thursday.

Putin seems to be drawing uncertainty about whether gas will continue to flow into Germany and for how long he will try to maximize his leverage as much as possible.

Gazprom a few hours before gas flow resumes on Thursday Said in a statement I had not yet received a document from Siemens about the turbine that was sent to Canada for repair. The company said it needed paperwork to return the parts, adding that the engine and others “directly affected the operational safety of the Nord Stream pipeline.”

German Minister of Economy and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Habeck said a statement from Gasprom that the resumption of gas through the pipeline is evidence that the Russian company was the “guarantor” of energy security in Europe. Refused.

“The opposite is true,” Habeck said. “It has proven to be a factor in uncertainty.”

The German government has already activated the second of the three steps in the gas emergency program. It also involves replacing gas-fired power plants with coal-burning power plants, which release much more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than combustion gases. The third and final step will allow the government to distribute supplies.

On Thursday, Harbeck aimed to increase national gas reserves, including conservation incentives, including more ambitious goals for storage facilities, and revitalization of power plants that burn lignite, the dirtiest fossil fuel. Announced additional measures.

He also said the government is considering strict restrictions on how people can use gas. For example, the government may ban people from heating private pools with gas. When faced with how such measures would be implemented, Habeck drew something similar to the ban on holding private rallies during the initial blockade of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I don’t think the police will visit every homeowner. That’s not our intention, nor the country I want to live in,” Habeck said. “But if it is pointed out that someone disagrees with it, we will certainly investigate it.”

Germans, one of the most eager to comply with public health regulations in 2020, when the pandemic began to revolt months later, sacrificed their comfort in solidarity with Ukraine. Whether you are willing or not has not been completely tested yet.

The German government faces what Russian analyst Janice Kruge of the German Institute for International Security in Berlin called “a very delicate balance” in the way he communicates with the public.

“On the other hand, they need to mobilize everyone to save energy, save gas, and inform everyone that an energy emergency may occur in winter. At the same time, this is a sanctions policy. “Ukraine,” he said.

“This is exactly what Putin wants to achieve,” Kruge added. “Somewhere behind our heads is this idea when we make the next decision about the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, well, what does this do for our gas delivery? Is it? “

Berlin is struggling to buy more gas from the Netherlands, Norway and the United States. The government has secured € 2.94 billion to lease four floating terminals, hoping to operate by midwinter to avoid a crisis that threatens recession.

For years, Germany has become increasingly dependent on Russia for energy demand, ignoring warnings from its neighbors and allies that it is becoming vulnerable.

“Germany will become completely dependent on Russia’s energy if it doesn’t change course soon,” President Donald J. Trump told the United Nations in 2018.

In response, the German delegation, including the country’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, laughed.