Shortly before the Russian-European pipeline intended to deliver gas to the EU under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine, is expected to be ready, the US is planning to step up pressure on the venture. Sanctions targeting the project have been included in the military budget bill, which is slated to be signed by the US president before Christmas.
The German government is preparing for US sanctions against the Russian-European pipeline project Nord Stream 2, the German outlet Bild reports, citing a confidential paper from the country's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
According to the document, the German government does not rule out that the sanctions, expected to be approved this December, “will hinder pipe-laying work in the Danish exclusive economic zone” in the Baltic Sea, which is underway now.
The outlet points out that unlike the German Foreign Ministry, this document concludes that the US is not planning to impose any sanctions against Germany or any direct sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, owned by the Gazprom Group, which is the controlling shareholder, and four European companies – Wintershall Dea GmbH, PEG Infrastruktur AG, N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, and Engie. The confidential paper reportedly states: “Western investors and the Nord Stream 2 consortium itself are not the focus of the announced sanctions”.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas earlier lambasted any possible punitive measures, targeting the venture.
“Decisions on European Energy…
