Gazprom can no longer argue with technical excuses.
(Photo: dpa)
Dusseldorf If you didn’t know better, you might think that German energy security depends on a single turbine. The rulers in the Kremlin made sure of that with their propaganda.
For weeks, the Russian government has claimed that it can only send a fraction of the possible gas supply volumes via the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline because a Siemens Energy turbine is missing. So the federal government did everything possible to get the said turbine back to Russia, despite sanctions, which was in Canada for repairs.
Against all odds, Canada gave in, the turbine was put on the plane and has been on German soil for a week and a half now. She could be back in Russia long ago. However, according to Gazprom, Siemens Energy is not providing important documents despite repeated requests. It’s been like this for 14 days.
At first there was no objection from Siemens Energy: the turbine should be brought back as soon as possible. And so Gazprom was able to spread its claims freely. Small taunts from Economics Minister Robert Habeck (“One sometimes gets the impression that Russia no longer wants to take them back.”)
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The reluctance was understandable, Russia should not be given any reason to turn off the gas tap completely. It was of no use: as of Wednesday, only 20 percent of the possible gas volume will come from Russia. The Kremlin is once again demonstrating its power.
Surprisingly, Moscow now wants to send a second turbine for maintenance. According to Russia, this is all the fault of Siemens Energy. That has sat.
Germany can no longer play along with Putin’s demonstrations of power
Siemens Energy isn’t going to let that sit any longer and is openly countering the quarrels from Moscow: All the necessary papers have been available for a week, and Gazprom has also been informed. All that was missing was the customs documents for importing to Russia – and Gazprom had to provide them themselves.
Above all, however, one sees no connection between the missing turbine and the gas throttling. Siemens Energy is finally outspoken about a statement that has been circulating in the energy industry behind closed doors for weeks – it’s about time.
Those who play along with Russia’s propaganda out of fear only help Moscow. Vladimir Putin has shown that he has Germany in his hands by being dependent on Russian gas. Germany must not continue to tacitly accept this demonstration of power. Because one thing Putin has made even clearer: No matter how Germany behaves, Russia is unpredictable.
More: Gazprom reduces supply through Nord Stream 1 to 20 percent – and the gas price is already reacting