The Nord Stream pipeline (Northern Flow 1) from Russia to Germany is being maintained annually until July 21, but European governments are concerned that Moscow could extend it to limit gas supplies to Europe, disrupting winter storage plans.
On July 14, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the future of the Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany will depend on gas demand in Europe and Western sanctions against Russia.
Russian energy giant Gazprom said it did not ensure the Nord Stream pipeline's operation because it did not know whether the turbine's engine would be returned after repairs in Canada.
Over the weekend, Canada announced that it had granted a license to return the turbine to Nord Stream's Portovaya Compression Station.
"Gazprom has no document allowing German company Siemens to move the engine of the gas turbine being repaired there from Canada to the Portovaya compressed air station," Reuters quoted Gazprom as saying on July 14. In this situation, it is impossible to draw objective conclusions about the development of the situation and ensuring the safe operation of the Portovaya station, an important basis for the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
The German Economy Ministry declined to comment on the statements of Gazprom - the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Information.
Canada's weekend announcement said it is issuing a "term and repelable" license to exempt sanctions on Nord Stream equipment and also announced new sanctions in response to Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Energy and Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged Canada to reverse its decision, which it believes is to adjust sanctions imposed on Moscow "according to Russia's wishes".
A group representing the Ukrainian-American community said it would sue Canada to prevent Ottawa from returning the turbine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: The operation of the gas pipeline in the future will depend heavily on our partners for gas demand and illegal sanctions, as has happened to turbines in Canada. The maintenance of the pipeline has been agreed upon in advance with consumers".
Russia has accused the West of conducting economic war in support of Ukraine, but insists it is still a reliable energy supplier.
The West has accused Russia, a key oil and gas exporter, of stepping up the use of energy as a geopolitical weapon since it deployed its troops into Ukraine on February 24.
Last month, Russia reduced gas production to 40% of Nord Stream's total capacity, citing that the turbine had not been returned. With an annual capacity of more than 55 billion cubic meters, Nord Stream is expected to not operate until July 21 for annual maintenance.
Europe is concerned that Russia could extend its maintenance period to further limit Europe's gas supply, making plans to fill up winter reserves more difficult, and deepening the gas crisis, forcing governments to take emergency measures, burdening consumers with prices.
