Russia claims Europe is using wood for heating after Nord Stream abandonment

Russia's Special Representative for Climate Affairs, Sergei Kononotchenko, stated that abandoning the Nord Stream gas pipelines and closing nuclear power plants has forced Europe to rely on wood for heating. He described the situation as a combination of attempts to punish Russia and a forced acceleration toward green economy standards.

Kononotchenko noted that gas supplies should only be abandoned if stable, reliable, and economically viable alternatives exist. He suggested that as public concern grows over inflation and rising prices, EU leaders are taking hasty measures, such as extending the operation of coal-fired power plants or increasing wood usage.

In response to energy shifts, Germany and the Netherlands have restarted coal power plants, while Romania has secured an agreement with the European Commission to delay the closure of its coal-fired thermal plants from 2026 to 2029. The energy landscape was significantly impacted by the September 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which damaged critical infrastructure used to transport Russian gas to Europe.