In Washington, White House press secretary Carine Jean-Pierre and Secretary of State Anthony J. Brinken declined to speculate on the cause of the leak, but promised the US would help Europe secure energy supplies. .
“This underscores the importance of our efforts to work together to provide Europe with alternative gas, reduce gas consumption and support efforts to accelerate true energy independence by transitioning to a clean energy economy. ,” said Jean-Pierre.
Before Moscow sent troops to Ukraine in February, Russia provided more than half of all natural gas imported by Germany and more than 40% used throughout the European Union.War begins. A few days ago, Germany refused to allow the just-completed Nord Stream 2 to pump gas out of Siberia, and the European Union joined the US in imposing tough economic sanctions on Russia.
President Vladimir V. Putin appeared to have calculated that Russia could absorb the resulting economic pain longer than Europe, so Russia then began to cut supplies through existing pipelines, first onshore. Stopped the flow through the pipeline. During the summer Nord Stream 1 operated at a fraction of its capacity and the flow stopped in his late August. The escalation has sent gas prices skyrocketing, and leaders must urge businesses and citizens to cut back on consumption or face rationing over the winter.
Reflecting the market’s sensitivity to threats, European natural gas prices surged on news of the leak, with the Dutch benchmark contract nearing €208 ($199) per MWh on Tuesday, compared with about €39. A 20% jump a year ago. Gas prices, volatile since the civil war began, peaked near €350 in August, but have been falling in recent weeks.
“This has all the hallmarks of a ‘burn the house’ energy warfare strategy,” said Helima Croft, head of commodities at RBC Capital Markets, of the potential attack. “Russia has never intended to allow the West a cheap energy detox, but these sabotages portend a new dangerous and asymmetrical phase in the Kremlin’s campaign to advance the economic interests of its adversaries,” she said. is.”