The President of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, warns the leaders of the European Union that “the moment of truth has come” and “they have two ways out of the energy crisis” – the removal of sanctions against Russia and the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. , writes Reuters.

Vyacheslav Volodin said on Friday that “the energy security of the European Union is impossible without Russia” and warned European leaders that they have “two ways out of the situation they have caused themselves”:

• “The moment of truth has come for the heads of European states, who have two ways out of the situation they themselves have caused: to stop the illegitimate sanctions they imposed on our country and to restore Nord Stream 2.”
• Another way is to leave the situation as it is, which will lead to problems in the economy and make the life of citizens even more difficult.”

Germany suspended construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on February 22, two days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the certification process could not continue in light of Russia’s latest actions.

Germany initially suspended the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline last November, demanding that the Russian side meet several technical criteria. The last section of the gas pipeline passing through the bottom of the Baltic Sea was completed in September 2021.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 led to widespread Western sanctions and cuts in energy supplies from Russia, fueling inflation around the world. Some Europeans have voluntarily reduced their energy consumption, including limiting the use of electrical appliances and taking showers at work to make up for it, and companies are preparing for possible rationalization, reminds Reuters.

Since July 27, the Nord Stream gas pipeline has been operating at only 20% of its maximum capacity due to the shutdown of several turbines, which, according to Gazprom, it was forced to do because of Western sanctions.

The European Union accused Russia of energy blackmail. In addition, politicians in Europe have repeatedly warned that Russia could cut off gas supplies this winter, pushing up prices for consumers already facing higher food and energy prices.

Russia is the world’s second oil exporter after Saudi Arabia and the world’s largest exporter of natural gas. Europe imports about 40% of gas and 30% of oil from Russia.