Ukraine War: Russia shuts main gas pipeline to Europe

Synopsis

The Nordstream pipeline, a crucial gas supply route from Russia to Europe, is currently idle after Gazprom, Russia's largest company, halts its operation. This pipeline, which previously delivered over 150 million cubic meters of gas daily, has seen its flow drastically reduced since the invasion of Ukraine. In June, Gazprom cut the flow to around 60 million cubic meters, and by August, it dropped to 20 percent of capacity. The complete shutdown comes after Gazprom cites a leak in the main gas turbine, a claim many view as dubious. European leaders, including Charles Michel, president of the European Council, assert that Russia is using gas as an economic weapon, pushing for energy independence in response to this aggression. The situation raises concerns about potential breaches of contract and the economic consequences for Europe, which has been preparing for such risks for months.