The German government will almost certainly reject Putin's proposal to restore the supply of natural gas to Europe through the undamaged section of the Nord Stream 2 line.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during a meeting.
One of the links on theNord Stream 2 line appears to be undamaged, and according to Putin, it could carry 27 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year.
At an event in Moscow Wednesday, the Russian president once again claimed that the U.S. was behind the blasts that damaged theNord Stream 1 andNord Stream 2 pipes.
According to Putin, the disruption of gas supply to Europe was a ploy by the US to force it to use more expensive sources of energy.
It's not clear if the proposal is a serious offer from Putin or an attempt to provoke Germany and the rest of Europe, as Berlin is unlikely to change its mind.
At a time when Europe is trying to wean itself from Russian energy sources while battling high gas prices, the proposals come at a good time.
The Swedish Security Service found that detonations were the cause of the leaks. The agency said their findings have made them suspect that the damages were an act of sabotage. The investigators, however, stopped short of accusing anyone of carrying out the sabotage and said they are now trying to determine if anyone can be suspected of being involved. NATO and the European Union have both said that the leaks were an act of sabotage, while President Joe Biden has accused Russia of carrying out the " deliberate act of sabotage." Russia has angrily rejected the allegations. Prior to the leaks, deliveries through theNord Stream 1 had been suspended by Russia due to the sanctions against Russia.
Russian state media repeated Putin's accusations against the U.S., as well as boosting right-wing U.S. commentators.
Russia can increase gas supplies to Europe.
The Swedish probe has found detonations that may have caused the leak.
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