Kremlin attributes possible irregularities in gas supply to Europe to delay in turbine's return after maintenance

MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov has dismissed Berlin's allegations that irregularities in natural gas supply to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline might have been politically motivated and explained them as being the result of purely technological problems which depend on the return of a turbine after maintenance.

"A turbine is a technological reason. What other reasons can there be? A turbine needs to be returned to its place of operation, and it hasn't been returned," Peskov said in commenting on a remark by a German vice chancellor that the country might experience a gas shortage over maintenance operations on the Nord Stream pipeline.

Commenting further on the problem, Peskov said, "If the turbine isn't returned, perhaps the [issue] is not solely about technology."

"Everything is quite obvious here, and there's no hidden agenda. Our German counterparts are perfectly aware of the entire technological cycle of the gas pipeline's management. This has worked properly and faultlessly for years," he said.

"Therefore, it's strange to see politics everywhere," he said.