The publication notes that Hochstein was one of the main opponents of the gas pipeline, which will allow Russia to deliver gas to Europe bypassing Ukraine.
Axios interlocutors familiar with Hochstein were surprised that he agreed to take on a job that is so contrary to his reputation and position that the pipeline represents “an existential crisis facing Ukraine.”
Hochstein from 2014 to 2017 worked as a special envoy of the US State Department on international energy issues and advised then Vice President Biden for Ukraine.
Context:
July 21 Germany and the USA signed an agreement on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which should link Russia with Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Germany promised that it would apply national sanctions against Russia and call for effective EU measures if the Russian Federation will continue to use gas as an instrument of pressure on other countries or “will commit further aggressive actions against Ukraine.” According to the agreement, transit through Ukraine after the commissioning of the gas pipeline must be renewed for 10 years (valid transit contract ends in 2024).
In addition, the United States and Germany will work on an investment fund worth at least $ 1 billion, which will go to the development of renewable energy sources in Ukraine. Germany will initially contribute at least $ 175 million to this fund.
Speaking about the agreements between Berlin and Washington on Nord Stream 2, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba noted on July 22 that the document there is “one fundamental problem”… “It is connected with the fact that we still do not understand whether Russia is ready to fulfill its obligations and its part when it comes to the energy security of Ukraine and the preservation of its role as a transit country. America and Germany have agreed on something, Poland and Ukraine we also agreed on something, but we all understand that the main beneficiary of the crisis that created Nord Stream 2 is the Russian Federation. This is the main question that has no answer, and it is necessary to work on it, “Kuleba emphasized.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that Ukraine officially initiates consultations with the European Commission and Germany on Nord Stream 2.
US-Germany agreement criticized in Poland, Lithuania and Estonia.
On July 28, it became known that a group of Republican senators are demanding from the administration of the President of the United States Joe Biden imposing new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and threatens to block the approval of candidates for leadership positions in the Ministry of Finance.
The pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG reported in July 2021 that Nord Stream 2 is 99% complete, its construction can complete by the end of August, and the start-up of gas is possible this year.
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