Photo: nord-stream2.com
US does not abandon sledges against Nord Stream 2
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Meanwhile, in a survey conducted among German citizens, an unexpected conclusion was made, the newspaper notes.
The administration of US President Joe Biden imposed and immediately suspended sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, and its CEO Matthias Warnig. Washington explained its position by “national interests.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that lifting the sanctions is a step towards Berlin. She also noted that Washington’s position on Nord Stream 2 approached Germany’s. The Kremlin called the refusal of the sanctions “an unquestionably positive signal.”
However, the State Department approved the imposition of sanctions against four Russian courts and four companies. According to the authoritative newspaper Die Welt, the United States only creates the appearance of a conciliatory position. Correspondent.net quotes from articles.
Biden was misunderstood
In fact, US President Joe Biden is tightening the screws even tighter. He previously called the pipeline “a bad deal for Europe” that would increase the dependence of Western European allies on Russia and help finance Russia’s aggressive expansionist policies.
This is how the United States reasoned until now … Biden was misunderstood, as evidenced by the circumstances of his last statement.
The President of the United States simply reacted to the repeated, persistent requests of the Republicans, clarifying the position regarding the project company itself. However, it has never been the target of U.S. sanctions, even under Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump.
All sanctions laws, known by the acronyms CAATSA, PEESA and PEESCA, were aimed only at service providers such as ports, shipowners or insurers helping to build the pipeline. At the same time, Nord Stream 2 AG directly did not legally fall under the wording of the laws on sanctions.
Therefore, Biden’s alleged “appeasement” policy only confirms the current legal situation, which was in force under Trump – no more and no less. This is not a confirmation that the sanctions will not be extended later.
“The waiver of sanctions against SP-2 is in line with President Biden’s pledge to restore ties with European allies and partners. And it gives Germany the opportunity to diplomatically resolve this issue,” a spokesman for the US Embassy in Berlin said in response to a Die Welt inquiry.
Thus, it is possible that in the future, depending on the development of diplomatic negotiations, the US sanctions on Sevpotok-2 will be tightened …
“By our decision of May 19, we imposed sanctions on the largest number of project participants to date. This demonstrates our strong commitment to fighting the project,” the State Department stressed.
Washington noted that it will continue to support “the energy independence of Europe, the security of Ukraine and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as NATO partners.”
Germany’s Eastern Economic Committee has already realized that the White House statements do not in any way indicate a quick settlement of the dispute. Quite the opposite.
“We note with growing misunderstanding this week the resumption of US sanctions pressure on the gas pipeline. It damages democratic decision-making processes in Europe and ignores Germany’s legitimate interests,” said the head of the organization, Oliver Hermes.
The Eastern Committee calls SP-2 a key infrastructure for supplying energy to Germany and Europe. They say it will offset rapidly declining natural gas production in the Netherlands and Norway and rising gas demand due to the phasing out of coal and nuclear power.
The day before, the committee disclosed the results of a poll, which it entrusted to the Forsa Institute for the Study of Public Opinion.
It turned out that 75 percent of the Germans surveyed support the completion of Nord Stream 2, and only 17 percent oppose …
It was unexpected that even 69 percent of the “green” voters are in favor of continuing the construction of the gas pipeline.
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