Germany alarmed by the reduction of the gas flow of Nord Stream 1 to 20% of its capacity

MOSCOW, July 26. (DPA/EP) -

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that "Russia is breaking contracts and blaming others", while "Putin is playing a deceitful game", on the sidelines of the current gas supply halving through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline by Gazprom.

The Russian gas company has reported that, as of Wednesday, it will halve the current supply through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, alluding to the review of a new turbine, as happened weeks ago.

The pipeline is currently operating at 40 percent of its capacity, which from Wednesday will be reduced to 20 percent, which is about 33 million cubic meters of gas per day.

For its part, Berlin argues that the cuts are simply Russia's punishment for the sanctions.

"He tries to weaken the great support for Ukraine and drive a wedge in our society. To do this, he stirs up uncertainty and drives up prices. We are countering this with unity and focused action. We are taking precautions to get through the winter," Habeck said.

The European Union as a whole -- and Germany in particular -- is heavily dependent on Russian gas. And while they are moving quickly to find alternatives, energy remains an area of ​​vulnerability.

Habeck has assured that Germany is working to reduce gas consumption, in subsequent statements to the ARD station.

"We are in a serious situation and it is time for the whole world to understand it," he declared.

Thus, he has emphasized that Germany must remain united and apply measures to reduce gas consumption.

"Yes, Putin has the gas, but we have the power," he stressed.

Gas supplies from the Netherlands and Norway will continue to reach Germany, Habeck said, adding that possible scenarios for the winter depend on how much gas the Germans could save.

It has also stressed that in the event of severe shortages, the supply to industry would be reduced before that to homes or protected infrastructure, such as hospitals.

Moscow's announcement sparked a sharp rise in the price of natural gas in Germany, with a futures contract seen as a barometer rising to 175 euros ($178) per megawatt hour on the Dutch energy exchange, up 7.7 percent. more than friday.