Russia to stop Nord Stream pipeline?

The pipeline, which supplies a significant proportion of the natural gas imported by Germany, reduced its output to just 60% after its operator failed to receive one of the turbines that pump the gas from maintenance in Canada due to anti-Russia sanctions.

The warnings of a further reduction in the capacity prompted a 25% spike in EU gas prices.

Further problems with the repair and maintenance of turbines that pump the gas flowing through the Nord Stream pipeline could bring a halt to its operation, Russia's Permanent UN Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov has warned in his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Such scenario would be a disaster for Germany, which significantly depends on gas supplies from this pipeline, Chizhov added.

"We should ask [the turbine's manufacturer] Siemens, why the turbines must undergo maintenance in Canada. […] I don't want to give any advice, but I think they could have learnt by now how to repair [turbines] themselves", Chizhov said.