Germany needs to get U.S. sanctions lifted or breach them for relaunch of Nord Stream 2 - Putin
MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax) - Gas supplies via the existing thread of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany can begin "even tomorrow" on condition that the U.S. sanctions and the German government's decision are lifted, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the heads of foreign media on Thursday.
This pipeline thread is under the U.S. sanctions, he said.
"And if the government of the Federal Republic agrees with its partners, sanctions are lifted, we press the button and gas supply begins. [It could happen] even tomorrow. Regardless of whether they reach agreements or don't reach agreements with anyone, just say no, we have decided. [The German government] will tell its partners in Washington, sorry, but we need, and if's very difficult for us without it," he said.
Gazprom and its partner in the Federal Republic maintain contacts, he said. "They are in contact. Gazprom has never refused. And it is ready to start supplies even tomorrow. And Gazprom's partners want, too. Of course they do. Only a decision of the government in the Federal Republic is needed," Putin said.
"And a political issue arises here, the issue of sovereignty. Because this system has not only been blown up. I believe it is an act of state terrorism," Putin said.
Germany can explain to the United States that the current gas prices in Germany "undermine the competitiveness of the German economy, harm the entire European Union because Germany is a locomotive of the entire European economy," he said.
If the system is launched, up to 28 billion cubic meters of gas a year could be supplied via the gas pipeline, Putin said. "Only we, Gazprom, need a clear answer from the German partners: will they take it or not? Because otherwise we will place it on the other markets. We will sell to other partners. The contact is in effect. And it's not Gazprom that is not fulfilling it. Gazprom is ready [to supply]. The German partner is not taking. Because there are instructions from Brussels and from Berlin not to take. A ban," Putin said.
