The return to Russia of a turbine considered necessary for the operation of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which supplies Europe with Russian gas, is “impossible” due to sanctions against Moscow, Russia’s Gazprom said on Wednesday.

“The sanctions regime in Canada, the EU and Great Britain, as well as the inconsistency of the current situation regarding Siemens’ contractual obligations make it impossible to supply” the turbine, Gazprom said in a statement.

This statement risks increasing the concerns of European countries, which notice that Russia is actually looking for excuses to delay the absorption of this turbine, the absence of which is one of the reasons that Moscow cites for reducing gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. which operated for a week at only 20% of capacity, AFP quoted Agerpres as saying.

• Read also: The Kremlin continues to play with the Gazprom turbine: Documents are needed to return it / Olaf Scholz took a picture with it

The German company Siemens Energy sent the specified turbine to Canada for repair, but this country refused to return it to Russia, referring, in turn, to sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, the turbine was sent to Germany, but Moscow argued that it should have gone directly to Russia and accused Siemens of breaching the contract.

Earlier on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the turbine “can be delivered, but someone has to say ‘I need it.’

Olaf Scholz had to personally inspect the turbine (Photo: BERND THISSEN / AFP / Profimedia)

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