FX.co ★ Germany considers Russian gas-flow cuts politically motivated

Some countries still suppose that Russia is using gas issues to affect countries from a political point of view. The Russian authorities have stated several times that gas streams, including Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2, are just commercial projects. However, various countries, particularly Germany, think that Russia’s political manipulation has become even more noticeable. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed the general opinion of local authorities, saying that the decision by Gazprom PJSC to cut gas flows through the key Nord Stream pipeline was “politically motivated”. Germany sees no other reason for the 40% cut in gas supply by means of the Nord Stream pipeline. Scholz’s official representative said that the chancellor was following the assessment of the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on this issue. That is why Olaf Scholz believes that lower gas supplies to Germany are not due to technical issues as the Russian company stated. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck made almost the same announcement. “In that sense, I have the impression that what happened yesterday is a political decision and not a decision that can be justified in technical terms,” he said. On June 14, Gazprom announced a cut in gas flows through the key Nord Stream pipeline by 40% because of a shortage of gas pumping units, which are now under repair at German Siemens.