Advertisement
Ukraine war: Putin says Russia could increase gas supplies to Europe, ‘but ball is in EU’s court’
- Russian leader also said Moscow could increase the capacity of its gas exports to Türkiye and eventually turn into a hub for gas supplies to Europe
- Putin again blamed the US for blasts that hit the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, causing a massive gas leak and taking them out of service
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
3
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow is ready to resume gas supplies to Europe via a link of the Germany-bound Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea, but it’s up to the EU.
Advertisement
“Russia is ready for the start of deliveries,” Putin told an energy forum in Moscow, referring to the part of the pipeline not affected by leaks. “The ball is in the EU’s court. If they want to, then the taps can be turned on and that’s it.”
Speaking in the Russian capital, Putin again charged that the US was likely behind the explosions that ripped through both links of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of the two links of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, causing a massive gas leak and taking them out of service.
The US has previously rejected similar allegations by Putin. Several European governments said the undersea explosions that ripped through both Nord Stream pipelines were likely caused by sabotage but stopped short of assigning blame.
The Russian leader has repeatedly taunted the West by raising the prospect of sending gas through Nord Stream 2, a political non-starter for the German government and others.
Advertisement
Advertisement