Despite the maintenance issues, Europe has accused Russia of weaponizing energy supplies. Russia's brand new Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany is fully completed and ready to be turned on at any time — if German and EU politicians allow it. Energy bills for a typical European family are expected to surge around 200% this year.

Russia dropped the hammer on Monday by announcing gas supplies to Europe through Nord Stream 1 will be halted indefinitely until Western sanctions are lifted.

From RT, "Main gas pipeline to EU will be closed until sanctions lifted – Kremlin":

Technical issues with gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline will persist until the West lifts sanctions it has slapped on Russia over the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

On August 31, Gazprom completely shut down gas deliveries via the pipeline. Although initially Nord Stream 1 was slated to resume gas transit on Friday, Gazprom announced that it would remain closed indefinitely due to technical issues.

"Problems in [gas] deliveries arose due to sanctions that have been imposed on our country and a number of companies by Western countries, including Germany and the UK. There are no other reasons behind supply issues," Peskov noted.

The Kremlin spokesman also claimed that it is not Gazprom's fault that "the Europeans absolutely absurdly make a decision to refuse to service their equipment," which they are contractually obligated to do.

Peskov stressed that all Nord Stream 1 operations hinge on "one piece of equipment that needs serious maintenance."