September 2 live updates: Russia suspends Nord Stream 1 indefinitely, FBI recovers over 100 secret files from Mar-a-Lago

Russia’s decision to suspend gas glows via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, putting further pressure on Europe’s energy supplies, was quickly criticized by several ministries and officials across the continent.

The announcement by state-owned Gazprom that it was closing Nord Stream 1 again came “under spurious pretenses” and was “further confirmation of its unreliability as a supplier”, wrote Eric Mamer, door -Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, on Twitter.

Gazprom’s announcement this afternoon that it is once again shutting down NorthStream1 under spurious pretexts is further confirmation of its unreliability as a supplier.

It is also proof of the cynicism of Russia, which prefers to flare gas instead of honoring contracts.

— Eric Mamer (@MamerEric) September 2, 2022

Mamer said Gazprom’s actions proved the “wisdom” of earlier EU decisions to stockpile gas ahead of winter, as well as its plans for a 15% reduction in gas demand and efforts to speed up production. installation of renewable energy capacity in the Union.

“There is no need to change tactics; we need to stay the course and step up our efforts,” Mamer said.

EU energy ministers are already due to meet in an emergency session in Brussels next Friday.

Having also observed Russia’s “unreliability” as a supplier, a representative of the German economy ministry said the country was better prepared than a few months ago to increase its independence from Russian energy imports.

“We will achieve our goal of obtaining [storage facilities] 85% full by October already in the first days of September,” the representative continued. “We are also making good progress in finding alternative supply routes to Russian routes and in building LNG import capacity.”

A senior energy official in Ukraine said Gazprom’s decision to keep the Nord Stream gas pipeline closed was not unexpected.

“EU gas blackmail is intensifying,” said Serhiy Makogon, chief executive of the Ukrainian gas pipeline operator.

“The Ukrainian route is the only gas transit route to Western Europe that is still operating” and there was no indication Gazprom planned to increase throughput despite only using 40% of reserved capacity, Makagon said. .