Putin and his north stream. What is the Kremlin's plan

Vitaliy Portnikov journalist for several weeks in a row, Germany could not achieve the Russian Gazprom to take a turbine, allegedly necessary for repair of the North Stream gas pipeline - 1 actually, even the return of the turbine to Germany from Canada happened at the request of the Russian side: This important part cannot be quality repair of the gas pipeline. And without quality repair of the gas pipeline it is impossible to provide Europe with enough gas, - writes Vitaliy Portnikov for Radio.

Svoboda. Blef from the beginning to the end was all bluff from beginning to end. And the most interesting thing is that Europeans knew about it. And the turbine itself is probably not so needed to restart the North Stream gas pipeline - 1. And the amount of gas can be increased without much problems if other routes, including the Ukrainian gas transportation system, are used.

However, the West decided to go to Gazprom's demands to be explained in Berlin, Russia had no arguments in order not to increase supply. To return the turbine, I had to go to a real diplomatic scandal. Canada's decision to return the Siemens turbine Germany has caused misunderstanding in Kiev. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine spoke about violation of the sanction regime itself and called not to return the turbine and, moreover, not to send it to Gazprom.

But in this situation, the actions of the Government of Canada were supported by virtually all allies of Ukraine - from the White House to the leadership of Germany. The West proceeded from the fact that Europe, which is devoid of the required amount of gas, would feel in a deep crisis and will not be able to help Ukraine. But after the decision to send the turbine was made, Gazprom did not rush to return.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin, a well -known energy specialist, generally expressed doubts about the quality of Canadian repairs. Since then, the turbine remains in the German Mulheim. The other day, the company where it is stored, even visited the German Federal Chancellor Olaf Soltz. All this was a bluff from the beginning to the end of the German government was photographed with a turbine and demonstrated that Germany was ready to fulfill its obligations.

The European Commission also made the corresponding clarification, which stated that the sanctions imposed against Russia were not an obstacle to the transfer of turbine. But in Gazprom it seems that they do not hear all this. Why? And because at this stage of Russia it is not necessary not a turbine, but the possibility of energy isolation of Ukraine.

This was clearly understood by the former German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who had encountered Russian President Vladimir Putin recently. Schroeder, who was the formal head of the company responsible for the construction of the North Stream - 2, explained to German journalists: either this gas pipeline would be launched or Europe will not receive gas in the required quantity.

Turbin is a reason for blackmail, the ability to humiliate the West to explain these Russian requirements is not so difficult. When Putin was preparing for the war against Ukraine, he hoped that the system of bypass gas pipelines would allow him to move to intensive hostilities in the Ukrainian territory as needed. And it will not be necessary to take care of the preservation of the Ukrainian GTS, it will simply not need anyone.

That is why the completion of the construction of the North Stream - 2 became a kind of shot from the starting gun. For some reason, the Kremlin did not assume that hostilities would make Germany refuse to certify the North Stream - 2 and generally forget about the odious project. But Putin did not forget about his beloved child. And now he decided that the best thing he can do for the future North Stream - 2 - blackmailing Europe in the cold winter and lack of gas.