Gazprom Declares ‘Force Majeure’ On EU Gas Flow. Cannot Guarantee Gas Supplies Because Of 'Extraordinary' Circumstances

A Gazprom compressor station in Siberia. The letter is seen as upping the ante in an economic tit-for-tat with the west over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters 

Reuters: Exclusive: Russia's Gazprom tells Europe gas halt beyond its control 

LONDON (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom has told customers in Europe it cannot guarantee gas supplies because of 'extraordinary' circumstances, according to a letter seen by Reuters, upping the ante in an economic tit-for-tat with the West over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 

The July 14 letter from the Russian state gas monopoly said it was retroactively declaring force majeure on supplies dating from June 14. 

The news comes as Nord Stream 1, the key pipeline delivering Russian gas to Germany and beyond, is undergoing annual maintenance meant to conclude on Thursday. 

The letter added to Europe's fears that Moscow could keep the pipeline mothballed in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, heightening an energy crisis that risks tipping the region into recession. 

Known as an 'act of God' clause, force majeure is standard in business contracts and spells out extreme circumstances that excuse a party from their legal obligations.  

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WNU Editor: This declaration is primarily targeting Germany. This cut-off of natural gas, if it becomes permanent, is going to be a "death-blow" to Europe.  

 Gazprom Declares ‘Force Majeure’ On EU Gas Flow. Cannot Guarantee Gas Supplies Because Of 'Extraordinary' Circumstances

Gazprom declares ‘force majeure’ on EU gas flow – media -- RT  

Gazprom cuts gas supplies as Kremlin escalates energy war in Europe -- Bloomberg  

Gazprom Declares Force Majeure On Some Gas Deliveries To Europe -- OilPrice.com  

Gazprom announced Force Majeure Circumstances - Probably Cutting Off the Gas to Europe -- Novinite