Germany's Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said on Monday in Prague that it was "difficult to say" whether the Nord Stream 1 pipeline will resume gas flows after its planned maintenance is completed on July 21st.
"Nobody can see inside (Vladimir) Putin's head," Habeck, who is also Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, said at a news conference in the Czech capital, Prague.
German politicians have dismissed Russia's technical explanation for last month's reduction in gas flows through Nord Stream 1, saying the decision was a political gambit to sow uncertainty and push up energy prices.
Habeck has said he suspects that Russia may cite "some little technical detail" as a reason not to resume gas deliveries through the pipeline after this month's maintenance.
Habeck and Czech Industry and Trade Minister, Jozef Sikela, on Monday signed memorandum on energy security that ensures gas supplies for the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic almost entirely depends on Russia's gas and has received all its supplies through Germany.
The German government is preparing to approve a decree on Wednesday that will give the green light for utility companies to fire up 10 dormant coal power plants and six that are oil-fueled to make up for possible further gas shortfalls.
Another 11 coal-fired power plants due to be shut down in November will be allowed to keep operating.
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