The European Commission accuses the Russian giant Gazprom of suspending the supply of gas through the Nord Stream gas pipeline from the Baltic Sea to Germany under false pretenses, writes dpa.

• “Gazprom’s statement that it is closing (Nord Stream) again under false pretenses is another confirmation of its unreliability as a supplier.
• It also shows Russia’s cynicism, as it prefers to release gas instead of fulfilling contracts,” a European Commission spokesman wrote on Twitter late Friday.

According to turbine manufacturer Siemens Energy, the oil leak does not technically justify the shutdown of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, a decision Gazprom made after it allegedly discovered such leaks in the turbine.

Gazprom announced on Friday evening that the Nord Stream pipeline, which was due to resume on Saturday after a maintenance period, would be permanently shut down “completely” until a turbine on the vital gas pipeline to supply Europeans is repaired. .

Gazprom’s announcement risks heightening concerns among European countries trying to avoid an energy crisis next winter and accusing Moscow of using gas as a weapon in response to Western sanctions following Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.

Nord Stream 1, which runs through the bottom of the Baltic Sea to deliver gas to Germany and other countries, was operating at just 20 percent capacity before the streams were shut down for three days this week for maintenance.

Gazprom claimed that the European Union sanctions led to technical problems that prevented it from delivering the full amount of gas through the pipeline.

Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Wednesday it had “completely” suspended gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline for repairs it said would last three days.

The Russians suspended gas supplies through a pipeline that supplies Germany from 04:00 Moscow time on Wednesday, and supplies were due to resume by September 3 at the same time.