The Nord Stream 2 pipeline can be completed without obstacles from Washington, which, although it has imposed sanctions, has left a convenient loophole
Earlier, the US House of Representatives voted for the military budget for next year. As before, a new package of sanctions against Nord Stream-2 was carried out together with it through the legislature. These punitive measures have been presented as the toughest, but a detailed study makes it clear that they are exemplary.
In the final version of the bill, lines were crossed out that the sanctions could affect the ports that provide their resources to ships involved in construction. Sanctions will also not be imposed on non-profit organisations in the EU countries involved in the project.
It is noteworthy that in early December there was information that such a non-profit organisation had been established in Germany. Manuela Schwesig, Head of Government of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, took the initiative to create a special fund. The official purpose of the organisation is to protect the climate. In practice, it will allow German companies to participate in the Nord Stream 2 project without the threat of being blacklisted by the United States.
The fund will classify the pipeline as “one of the most important components for protecting the environment”, the Bild reported, citing sources.
The US military budget, together with sanctions, was supported by 335 congressmen, 78 were against it. Now the Senate has to vote for the document, after which it will go to the president to sign it.
If the law is approved, it will mean that Washington has actually realised its inability to stop the construction. The sanctions in this case will be a demonstration that the US has stood on its own to the end.