For the first time since the beginning of the offensive against Ukraine, Russia threatened to cut off gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. This over 1,200 km long supply system has been in operation since 2012.
“We have every right to make a “mirror” decision and impose an embargo on the passage of gas through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which is currently used at 100%,” said the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. , Alexander Novak, Monday evening on state television. “But we have not made such a decision yet (…). Although European politicians are pushing us towards this with their statements and accusations,” he said. The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is operated by the Russian company Gazprom.
Russia also warned of “catastrophic consequences” for the global market of the imposition of a Western embargo on Russian oil, discussed by Washington and the European Union as a response to Russian military intervention in Ukraine. “It is clear that the refusal to buy Russian oil will lead to catastrophic consequences for the world market,” the Russian minister added.