Friday, 9 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Live Updates: U.S. Senate Votes to Accept Sweden and Finland in NATO
World

Live Updates: U.S. Senate Votes to Accept Sweden and Finland in NATO

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Live Updates: U.S. Senate Votes to Accept Sweden and Finland in NATO
SHARE
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, center, on Wednesday with the Siemens gas turbine intended for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline in Russia Credit…Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Standing before a hulking metal turbine that normally propels natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany rejected Russia’s contention that technical problems were behind the sharp curtailment in gas flows to Germany.

He said the only reason the machine had not yet been returned to Russia after undergoing maintenance work was that Gazprom, Russia’s state energy giant, did not want it back.

The turbine, which is at the heart of a dispute between Germany and Gazprom, was on display Wednesday at a news event in the western German city of Mülheim an der Ruhr, where its has been stored since it was returned from refurbishment in Canada.

Gazprom and Vladimir V. Putin, Russia’s president, have blamed Siemens Energy, the turbine’s manufacturer, for delays in returning it to Russia. They have repeatedly cited the need for “required documents and clarifications,” and said the turbine’s absence was the reason it had slashed gas flows to 20 percent of capacity.

Gazprom issued a statement later on Wednesday saying the sanctions enacted by Canada, Germany and Britain prevented it from taking the turbine back. But Mr. Scholz had said earlier that nothing was standing in the way of its return.

After weeks of releasing only terse responses, the German side seemed intent on calling the bluff of Gazprom and Mr. Putin.

“It is obvious that nothing, nothing at all, stands in the way of the further transport of this turbine and its installation in Russia. It can be transported and used at any time,” Mr. Scholz told reporters. “There is no technical reason whatsoever for the reduction of gas supplies.”

European officials say Russia is cutting back its gas deliveries to punish Europe for its opposition to the war in Ukraine. In mid-June, Gazprom cut back the amount of gas it was delivering to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to only 40 percent of possible capacity. Last week, it reduced the amount again by half.

Germany still relies on Russia to meet about a third of its natural gas needs, down from more than half before the start of the war but still enough to leave the country reeling from the cuts. It is scrambling to store up enough of the fuel before demand rises in winter, in hopes of staving off rationing and shutdowns of key industries if Russia cut off supplies entirely.

Gas storage facilities in Germany were 69 percent full on Wednesday, but officials told companies and citizens to begin reducing their energy usage as much as possible while the weather was still warm. Nearly half of all homes in Germany are heated with gas, and households, along with essential infrastructure such as hospitals and rescue services, will be given priority in the event of shortages.

Mr. Putin has suggested that Germany could solve its gas problem by opening the second pipeline that was mothballed days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Nord Stream 2.

That proposal was echoed by Gerhard Schröder, the former German chancellor, who remains close to Mr. Putin despite being outcast by his own political party, the Social Democrats, and many Germans. In an interview with the German newsweekly Stern, Mr. Schröder, who met with the Russian president in Moscow last week, also said the Kremlin was open to talks to end the war, on condition that Ukraine surrender its claim to Crimea — which Russia annexed in 2014 — as well as its aspirations to join NATO.

Asked about the prospect of restarting Nord Stream 2, Mr. Scholz stifled a laugh, pointing out that its twin pipeline running under the Baltic Sea, Nord Stream 1, was already being underused, as were other overland links through Ukraine, as well as one through Belarus and Poland — that Russia had put under sanctions.

“There’s enough capacity with Nord Stream 1,” he said. “All the contracts that Russia has concluded for the whole of Europe can be fulfilled with the help of this pipeline.”

The reduced flows of natural gas have caused prices in Europe to jump to record highs. On Wednesday they remained about double what they were in mid-June, when Russia began restricting flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Christian Bruch, the head of Siemens Energy, who appeared with Mr. Scholz, said that his company was in regular talks with Gazprom over the issue of the turbine and that it was eager to return it so other Siemens turbines used in the pipeline could also be taken for maintenance.

But the Russian company has a “different view” of the situation, he said, without elaborating.

“This turbine is ready to go immediately,” Mr. Scholz said. “If Russia does not take up this turbine now, it shows the whole world that not taking it is just an excuse to reduce gas supplies to Germany.”

— Melissa Eddy

TAGGED:The Washington Mail
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Holly Madison talks about the fear she felt when she left her relationship with Hugh Hefner: ‘I was kinda synonymous with the Playboy brand’ Holly Madison talks about the fear she felt when she left her relationship with Hugh Hefner: ‘I was kinda synonymous with the Playboy brand’
Next Article Roll with it: 35 years later, Rick Astley explains why he was never ‘one of the cool kids’ and why he never gave up Roll with it: 35 years later, Rick Astley explains why he was never ‘one of the cool kids’ and why he never gave up

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

California Law Requiring Board Diversity Is Struck Down

A California law requiring diversity on corporate boards of directors has been struck down in…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Bluebeard’s Castle; De Temporum Fine Comoedia, review: two mighty hellish visions at Salzburg

Ausrine Stundyte in Bluebeard's Castle - Monika Rittershaus, Salzburger FestspieleThe Salzburg Festival is currently an…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Kevin Hart Reveals How He Pitched 76ers To Paul George

(Photograph by Harry How/Getty Photos)   Paul George was the largest identify to alter areas…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Texas Pool Battle Escalates as Gun Drawn, Punches Thrown on Video

Play video content material Instagram/@rte_bishop A chill day at a Texas pool turned intense actual…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Two males discovered responsible of felling Sycamore Hole tree
World

Two males discovered responsible of felling Sycamore Hole tree

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
‘Stealing joy’: the unhappiness and symbolism of the crime at Sycamore Hole
World

‘Stealing joy’: the unhappiness and symbolism of the crime at Sycamore Hole

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Pope Leo XIV holds first mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel – reside
World

Pope Leo XIV holds first mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel – reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Putin hosts Xi Jinping and different world leaders as Russia marks Victory Day – Europe dwell
World

Putin hosts Xi Jinping and different world leaders as Russia marks Victory Day – Europe dwell

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?