Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the President of the Russian Federation, cautioned against counting on a quick resumption of supplies via the Nord Stream gas pipeline, despite reports that insurance contracts for the pipeline have been renewed. Peskov emphasized that Nord Stream 1 has been destroyed, and a transparent and participatory international investigation into the terrorist acts that led to its destruction is necessary. While German companies Allianz and Munich Re have renewed contracts for Nord Stream, gas supplies can only be resumed after the aftermath of the explosion has been eliminated. Nord Stream was one of the primary routes for the supply of Russian pipeline gas to Europe until the explosions occurred on two strings of the gas pipeline in September 2022. The US and a pro-Ukrainian group have been accused of the attack, but Russia’s March resolution to establish an international commission to investigate the bombings was not supported by the UN Security Council. Moscow has initiated its own national investigations into the incident. Grigory Leiba authored this article.
It is now premature to count on a quick resumption of supplies via Nord Stream, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the President of the Russian Federation, said, commenting on Archyde.com data on the resumption of insurance contracts for the gas pipeline.
“Firstly, it has been destroyed, if we talk about Nord Stream 1. Now I would refrain from any such, you know, overly optimistic conclusions in this regard and we are watching the situation very carefully, we are still convinced that a). there must be a transparent and participatory international investigation and investigation of the terrorist acts that led to the destruction of this important highway. And the conviction remains that this is a pipeline structure, which is extremely important for the energy security of Europe,” Mr. Peskov answered a question from Kommersant FM.
According to Reutres, the German companies Allianz and Munich Re have renewed contracts for Nord Stream. The interlocutors of the agency suggested that gas supplies through the gas pipeline could be resumed after the aftermath of the explosion was eliminated.
Until the beginning of 2022, Nord Stream was one of the main routes for the supply of Russian pipeline gas to Europe (55 billion cubic meters per year). In September 2022, explosions occurred on two strings of the gas pipeline.
On February 8, American journalist Seymour Hersh published an article in which he claimed that the US authorities had initiated the bombing. According to Western media, a pro-Ukrainian group that is not associated with the Ukrainian authorities may be involved in the explosion.
Russia’s March resolution on the establishment of an international commission to investigate bombings was not supported by the UN Security Council. Moscow reacted to the decision with regret, but, at the same time, stated that it would not let the national investigations into the incident (they were initiated by Germany, Denmark and Sweden) “off the hook”.
In conclusion, the resumption of gas supplies via Nord Stream remains uncertain. Despite the renewal of insurance contracts by German companies Allianz and Munich Re, the spokesperson for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, stated that it is premature to count on a quick resumption. Peskov emphasized the importance of a transparent and participatory international investigation into the terrorist acts that led to the destruction of the gas pipeline. In the meantime, investigations initiated by Germany, Denmark, and Sweden are ongoing. With tensions still high and accusations being thrown, it remains to be seen when gas supplies via Nord Stream will resume.