The gas tap from the Nord Stream 2 to Europe remains closed as Russia escalates the tense situation in Ukraine. This threat from Annalena Baerbock, the new foreign minister in Germany, to Moscow is once again putting the prestigious gas project in the spotlight. Because in the wake of her statements, the purchase price of gas rose by 10 percent.
The Nord Stream 2 has been a divisive issue in the relationship between the US, Russia and Europe for years. Washington fears EU countries will become too dependent on Russian gas once the pipeline is commissioned. Brussels, Moscow and Berlin look at it differently, our correspondents explain in this article.
Russia wants to pass Ukraine
“The Nord Stream 2 is mainly used as a geopolitical tool,” says EU correspondent Kysia Hekster. “Formally it is only about gas, but Moscow wants to pass through Ukraine with the project.” The new gas pipeline runs directly by sea to Germany, unlike to the major gas pipeline that runs through Ukrainian territory towards the EU.
Construction of the Nord Stream 2 has recently been completed, but the German authorities have not yet given the green light for use. The project would not yet comply with European legislation and regulations.
This series of graphics, which NOS made on 3 two years ago, explains the controversial gas project:
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