Page 126 - RusRPTOct22

view, the leaks were not the product of natural causes and that a non-state actor could not have caused this damage.
NATO calls the damage to the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage. NATO believes that the damage to the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. In its statement, the alliance expresses "deep concern" about these events. "Any deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of allies will be met with a single and decisive response," NATO warned. The NATO allies have committed to prepare, deter, and defend against the deliberate use of energy-related and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. The statement emphasized that the gas leaks pose risks to shipping and are causing significant environmental damage. The alliance demands an investigation to determine the cause of the gas pipeline destruction.
Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom suspended natural gas deliveries to Italy, escalating the energy crisis in Europe on October 1. Gazprom supplies Italy with gas through a pipeline that passes through Austria. The cutoff appeared to target just Italy, with Austria continuing to receive gas. Higher volumes of Russian gas were allocated to OMV than had been recently, said Andreas Rinofner, a spokesman for OMV, which imports Russian gas to Austria, Although Italy has been weaning itself off Russian gas, Saturday’s development highlights how vulnerable European countries are to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated moves to choke off energy to the continent. The standoff intensified after massive leaks erupted in a key pipeline to Europe that some nations blamed on sabotage. Gazprom released a statement Saturday saying it had suspended the supplies to Italy because the Austrian operator had refused to confirm “transport nominations” after regulatory changes implemented in Austria in late September. Gazprom said it is working to resolve the issue with Italian buyers. Eni confirmed the cutoff and also said it was reaching out to Gazprom to resolve the issue.
Hungary's MVM has reached an agreement with Russia's Gazprom on making deferred payments for gas for the winter period, the state utility company announced on October 3. The agreement helps ease pressure on Hungary’s widening current account deficit and its currency, which had plunged to historic lows before the announcement. The agreement will be used by Viktor Orban's regime to show how Hungary is benefiting from its close relationship with Vladimir Putin's dictatorship. Hungary has been the most vocal ally of Putin in the EU, drawing criticism from members for breaking ranks.
Europe is ready for winter without Russian gas. European countries may import almost 40% more liquefied gas in the coming winter year over year and increase purchases next summer by about 14% to rebuild lost inventories,
126 RUSSIA Country Report October 2022 www.intellinews.com