The Nord Stream gas pipeline, which connects Russia and Germany, reopened on Thursday following a 10-day repair period, according to its operator.

“It’s working,” a Nord Stream spokesperson said, without specifying the amount of gas being delivered. The German government was concerned that Moscow might not reopen the pipeline after the scheduled work.

As highly reliant Germany accused the Kremlin of using energy as a “weapon”, Europe anticipated the resumption of Russian gas supplies at the completion of scheduled work on a critical pipeline.

Germany feared that Russia might grab the chance to just shut down the taps completely or almost so, plunging Europe into an energy catastrophe. The confrontation comes at a time when Russia and the West are at odds over the war in Ukraine.

“Moscow is not shying away from using grain and energy deliveries as a weapon,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters this week, referring to allegations that Moscow was also deliberately blocking food exports from Ukraine. “We have to be resolute in protecting ourselves.”

However, Germany’s continued reliance on Russian gas, combined with unmistakably negative signals from Moscow, was ready to increase the pressure on Europe’s largest economy. The IMF warned on Wednesday that a supply disruption could reduce GDP by 1.5% in 2022.

Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)