“By suspending the transit of gas to Germany via Poland before the onset of winter, Gazprom itself proved that a new gas pipeline at the bottom of the Baltic Sea is a completely unnecessary investment,” the journalist writes, believing that Gazprom “restricted gas transit to Germany” through Poland via the Yamal - Europe gas pipeline.
According to Kublik, the company had to write off unused reserved capacities as losses.
At the same time, Gazprom noted that the applications of European consumers in this case are "being fulfilled in full", and fluctuations in demand for Russian gas depend on the actual needs of buyers.
The author of the material also writes that since the beginning of November, Gazprom "has reduced the transit of gas to Western Europe through Ukraine," and all this "is happening on the eve of winter, when the demand for gas is growing."
“By not using the already operating transit pipelines to cover the demand for gas in Western Europe, and not even noticing this demand, the Russian concern shows that there is no need for a new pipeline from Russia to Germany, passing along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Why invest in new infrastructure if not even the existing one is used? "
- asks Kublik, whose words are quoted by Inosmi.
On November 2, the Kremlin recalled that Russia is fulfilling its obligations to the European Union on gas supplies, and the order of President Vladimir Putin to increase pumping into European UGS facilities after November 8 "is still in force."
As Putin noted, the replenishment of UGS facilities in Europe will make it possible to stably and rhythmically fulfill contractual obligations and supply European partners, as well as create a more favorable situation on the European energy market.
At the same time, the Ministry of Economy of the Federal Republic of Germany said that Nord Stream 2 provides more opportunities for transporting gas to Europe.
The US State Department, commenting on the situation on the European gas market, noted that Russia did not provoke a gas crisis.