Econ Min Spox-Gazprom Contractually Obliged To Restart Gas Supplies

Wires carrying comments from a German Economy Ministry spokesman stating that Russia's Gazprom is 'contractually obliged' to restart gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline at the conclusion of routine maintenance.

• Comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of potential further reductions in gas supply through NS1. Putin has supposedly raised the potential of pumping gas through the NSII pipeline, which was scuppered shortly before completion by the German gov't due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Putin warned earlier today about potential capacity reduction of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline (link: https://marketnews.com/putin-warns-of-ns1-capacity...)
• On 18 July, Kommersant reported that the turbine being repaired in Canada had been flown to Germany on 17 July. Meanwhile, on 19 July, Reuters reported that according to two of its sources, flows via NS 1 would resume as scheduled but at reduced volumes.
• Using gas as a bargaining chip likely to remain a medium-to-long term tool for the Kremlin in attempting to sway German gov't policy. At present Berlin holding firm in supporting sanctions, but major focus on whether this holds as winter approaches.