Fraser Nelson Fraser Nelson

Cold War: Is Germany caving to Putin’s gas blackmail?

After a summit in Tehran yesterday, Putin spoke about the massive Russia to Germany Nord Stream 1 pipeline – currently closed for its annual maintenance period and due to reopen tomorrow. There’s a big question as to whether it will and at what capacity, given that Germany is at Russia’s mercy. Putin said that everything depends on western sanctions. He wants a turbine for the NordStream1 pipeline repaired in Canada – which would break sanctions – and the Germans are all for giving in. One turbine has just been repaired in Montreal, and Berlin begged the Canadians to send it back to give Putin what he wants. But Putin now wants a second turbine repaired. No turbine, no gas (and cold Germans). Putin’s full quote is here and the key extract is below:

‘There are two functioning [turbines] there, they pump 60 million cubic metres per day… If one is not returned, there will be one, which is 30 million cubic metres.

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