Washington and Berlin agreed on Wednesday on the controversial gas pipeline “Nord Stream 2“the completion and determination to prevent the use of the Russia – Germany pipeline as a political tool in Europe,” the BBC reports.
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The near-completion pipeline under the Baltic Sea will double Russian gas exports to Germany. The construction of the gas pipeline is opposed in Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine. Kiev believes that Nord Stream 2 threatens its security, as Russia will be able to stop gas transit through Ukraine, which means billions lost, and the Kremlin will not be prevented from invading a neighboring country.
Poland is also opposed to the pipeline, saying it poses a threat to Central and Eastern Europe. Russia, on the other hand, claims that the project is of a purely commercial nature.
Previously opposed the pipeline ASV the administration of President Donald Trump, but the administration of President Joe Biden announced in May that sanctions against the nearly completed pipeline would be counterproductive and existing sanctions against construction were lifted.
The White House is opposed to Nord Stream 2 as a threat to Europe ‘s energy security, but, according to analysts, Biden does not want to worsen relations with Germany as he seeks to strengthen ties with Europe. Sanctions against Germany cooperation between companies could be worsened.
US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland points out that the pipeline is undoubtedly bad, but the agreement with Berlin provides for sanctions against Moscow if the Kremlin tries to blackmail Ukraine.
The current transit agreement through Ukraine expires in 2024, but Berlin will seek to extend it for another 10 years.
The Communication emphasizes that Ukraine Berlin will receive financial support to diversify the energy market, as well as a billion dollars to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security. The agreement also provides for compensation to Ukraine if it loses the revenue from transit duties due to reduced gas volumes by 2024, the agency writes AP.
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the early completion of Nord Stream 2, according to a Kremlin press service. The possibility of extending the Russian gas transit agreement with Ukraine was also discussed during the talks.
Construction of Nord Stream 2 began in 2016 and was scheduled for completion in 2019. However, construction was delayed when construction stopped at the end of 2019 for more than a year due to the threat of US sanctions.
At the beginning of 2021, the pipelines were resumed by Russian ships, which were included in the sanctions list by Washington. However, no sanctions were imposed on the Nord Stream 2 operator founded by Gazprom.
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