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. But it’s unlikely to go any further, Melissa Eddie reports to The New York Times.
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 civil servants are under increasing pressure to lower energy prices and avoid gas rations. 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.
