Nord Stream 2 pipeline leakage ‘big problem’ for Russia: Kremlin

- Kremlin spokesman says Russia suffers losses from incidents on pipelines, while American energy companies benefit

The leakage at the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is 'a big problem for Russia' and a loss of a valuable asset, the Kremlin spokesman said Wednesday.

At a media briefing in Moscow, Dmitry Peskov admitted that the damage to the pipeline has caused a big problem for Russia.

“Both lines of the Nord Stream 2 are filled with gas, the whole system is ready for pumping gas, and this gas is very expensive,' he said, adding that “now this gas is evaporating into the air.'

Peskov rejected allegations of Russia's involvement in the accident as 'predictable, absurd and stupid,' while highlighting US President Joe Biden’s speech on the necessity of getting rid of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline at the beginning of the year.

'Do you remember the statements of the US president, which were made back in early February? Who promised then to get rid of the Nord Stream 2? What the US president meant, we do not know,' he said.

Peskov determined that Russia is suffering losses from the incidents on the pipelines, while American energy companies are benefiting from them.

'We see huge profits of American suppliers of liquefied natural gas, which have multiplied their supplies to the European continent, they are very, very interested in further obtaining these super-super profits,” he said.

'Are we interested in this? No, we are not interested, we have lost gas supply routes to Europe,' he added.

The Kremlin spokesman also insisted that Gazprom, the pipeline owner, participate in the investigation of the pipeline incidents.

He said the situation raises a lot of questions and demands a dialogue among the parties involved, which at present is lacking.

On Tuesday, Denmark's energy agency confirmed the detection of three leaks on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.

The Russia-owned Nord Stream 2 pipeline, originating in Russia and passing under the Baltic Sea to Germany, was constructed to double the volume of gas. However, as soon as construction finished, Germany decided to halt operations after the start of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Russia halted flow from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on Aug. 31.

Reporting by Elena Teslova in Moscow

Additional reporting by Sibel Morrow

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr