Chancellor Olaf Scholz indirectly accused Russia of using pretexts for the lack of gas deliveries.

The turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline can be used at any time and can be delivered, said the SPD politician on Wednesday during a visit to the energy technology group Siemens Energy in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

The machine is temporarily stored there on its way from Canada to Russia.

"The turbine is there, it can be delivered, someone just has to say I want it, then it will be there very quickly," said Scholz.

Nothing will then stand in the way of gas transport through Nord Stream 1.

"None of the technical reasons put forward are comprehensible on a factual basis," said the Chancellor.

Since June, Russia has cut back gas supplies via Nord Stream 1.

The energy company Gazprom justified this with the missing turbine.

It is important to build up the pressure required to pump the gas through.

Gazprom repeatedly accused its contractual partner Siemens Energy of not having sent the necessary documents and information to repair the machine.

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who also spoke to President Putin during a trip to Moscow, saw responsibility for the missing turbine at Siemens Energy.

The company has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Scholz is planning a trip to Canada

Scholz emphasized that there were no reasons why the turbine could not be delivered.

Not only is it in perfect condition, there are no gas sanctions against using it.

In view of the Russian war in Ukraine, however, one must be aware "that there can always be any pretended, put forward reasons that lead to something not working," said the Chancellor.

During his visit to Mühlheim, Scholz also announced that he would be traveling to Canada soon.

The Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has “made a really big and far-reaching contribution” to enabling the return transport of a gas turbine for the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline that has been serviced in Canada.

"I'm very grateful and I'll express that again to the public there when I'm in Canada shortly," says Scholz during a visit to the plant of the turbine manufacturer Siemens Energy in Mühlheim an der Ruhr.

"That was real leadership that Prime Minister Trudeau showed there."