The Kremlin blamed the West on Monday for shutting down Nord Stream 1, arguing that economic sanctions prevented Gazprom from carrying out maintenance on the critical pipeline that carries natural gas from Russia to Germany. Gazprom shut down the pipeline last week and delayed its planned reopening due to oil leaks in turbines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said repairs to those turbines have not been made “because of sanctions.” “There are no other reasons that would cause pumping problems,” Peskov said. Nord Stream is a 764-mile natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, stretching from Russia to the Baltic coast of Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File/AP Newsroom) Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, meanwhile, accused Russia of using energy as “blackmail” and urged Europeans to continue supporting Ukraine despite rising inflation and rising energy costs. CHINA’S ENERGY EXPORTS RISE, PRINTING SAUDI ARABIA AS BEIJING’S TOP SUPPLIER “Russia is waging a hybrid war on the European continent against the European Union. Gas extortion, oil extortion, creating the food crisis, the migrant crisis, disinformation, cyber attacks,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Brussels after a meeting with Europeans. officers of the Union. “But leaving Ukraine alone against Russia — that would just be one of those steps in moving Russia further deeper into Europe. The only salvation is for Europe to be united.” Pipes at the disposal facility of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline are pictured in Lubmin, northern Germany, on February 15. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File/AP Newsroom) Siemens Energy, the German company that makes turbines that use Nord Stream 1, said oil leaks can be fixed while natural gas continues to flow. GET THE FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE European leaders have urged citizens to conserve energy in the coming weeks to avoid rationing and blackouts as winter approaches. French language President Emmanuel Macron asked French businesses and households on Monday to reduce the use of heating and air conditioning to try to achieve a 10% reduction in energy use. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
