Europe is preparing for the prospect that the crucial Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which transports natural gas from Russia to Germany, may not resume operations as planned following normal repairs.

Germany — Before the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany was taken offline for routine maintenance, Europe was already experiencing an energy crisis. According to government sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin is using energy as political leverage in his dispute with the European Union over Ukraine, so it's possible that the crucial pipeline won't resume on Thursday as planned. Putin threatens that Russia may continue to reduce Europe's natural gas supplies, which are required to run companies, produce electricity, and heat homes throughout the winter. Before repairs started, the supplies through Nord Stream 1 were reduced by 60%.

According to the International Energy Agency, Putin's revenues have climbed even though Russia's oil and gas exporters are exporting less energy. According to the Paris-based IEA, Russia's earnings from oil and gas exports to Europe has increased by two times the average from prior years since the invasion, reaching $95 billion.

Russia's earnings from energy exports has increased three times in the previous five months alone compared to what it would have earned from selling gas to Europe for the full winter.

Putin therefore has cash on hand, and it's possible that he believes that exorbitant electricity bills and a downturn in the energy market will reduce public support for Ukraine in Europe and raise support for a negotiated solution in his favor.

According to what we have observed throughout the last year, it.