Russia’s Gazprom says gas flow to Europe will remain shut, sparking fears over massive shortages

RUSSIA has vowed to keep natural gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline shut off. Industry leaders Gazprom announced the news in wake of G7 finance ministers agreeing to impose a price cap on the nation’s oil exports. Gazprom announced the key pipeline would not be reopened due to a leak The proposal by the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada was made in a bid to stop pumping money into crazed Vladimir Putin’s war fund. Gazprom revealed it would not reinstate supplies to Europe as the main gas turbine at Portovaya compressor station near St Petersburg needs repairs. They said it could not operate safely until the leak was fixed, without mentioning when the supply would return. It was scheduled to reopen on Saturday after maintenance before the last minute U-turn just 24 hours before the deadline. Most read in The Sun 'JUST CHILL, MOM' Britney Spears' son Jayden lifts lid on their toxic family split WAITE IS OVER Barcelona axe Braithwaite hours before deadline with striker joining Espanyol CHILD'S PLAY Amy Childs shares very rare photo of son as he turns 4 years old BEACH BABE Love Island champ Amber Gill looks incredible in thong bikini in Myknos EXTRA CREDIT Millions on Universal Credit and other benefits to get Christmas bonus COVER UP Diner forced to wear lost property scarf to cover her boobs at a posh restaurant Experts fear the move could spark mass shortages across the continent. European nations have been scrambling to create a steady supply of gas ahead of the winter months – giving Russia the upperhand as the West defiantly supports Ukraine. Around half of member states have already been impacted by the disruption. In 2020, 167.7 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Europe was imported from Russia, according to EU statistical office Eurostat. Of the 167.7 billion cubic metres of natural gas Europe imported in 2020, Germany bought the most – 56.3 billion cubic metres. The country’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck said this week they can no longer rely on Russia for gas at all. The government was already bracing for further halts in flow for more maintenance, he said. Read More on The Sun BILL HELP Full list of key dates when cost of living payments will hit bank accounts BIG ISSUE My son, 8, is too big for school uniform - shopping for adult kit is traumatising The new price cap has not yet been determined. Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said of the news: “We will curtail Putin’s capacity to fund his war from oil exports by banning services, such as insurance and the provision of finance, to vessels carrying Russian oil above an agreed price cap.”