Outage for maintenance on Nord Stream 1 pipeline
No flows to Germany 0100 GMT, Aug. 31 0100 GMT, Sept. 3
European governments fear Moscow could extend the outage
German regulator we are saving gas, must keep doing so
Siemens Energy not involved in maintenance work

FRANKFURTLONDON, Aug 31 Reuters Russia halted gas supplies via Europe39;s key supply route on Wednesday, intensifying an economic battle between Moscow and Brussels and raising the prospects of recession and energy rationing in some of the region39;s richest countries.

European governments fear Moscow could extend the outage in retaliation for Western sanctions imposed after it invaded Ukraine and have accused Russia of using energy supplies as a weapon of war. Moscow denies doing this and has cited technical reasons for supply cuts.

Russia39;s state energy giant Gazprom said Nord Stream 1, the biggest pipeline carrying gas to its top customer Germany, will be out for maintenance between 0100 GMT on Aug. 31 and 0100 GMT on Sept. 3.

The pipeline39;s operator confirmed no gas was flowing on Wednesday morning. 

The president of the German network regulator said Germany was now better prepared for the outages as its gas storage was nearly 85 filled and it was securing supplies from other sources.

We can take gas from the storage in the winter, we are saving gas and need to keep doing so!, the LNG terminals are coming, and thanks to Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and soon France, gas is flowing, Klaus…