An energy expert explained why it will be difficult for the United States to agree on sanctions against Nord Stream-2, which could be completed as early as 2021
It is extremely unprofitable for Washington to spoil relations with Europe because of its participation in Nord Stream-2, so the United States is unlikely to impose severe restrictions on European business, therefore, the gas pipeline can be completed as early as 2021, says a lecturer at the Financial University under the Russian government Stanislav Mitrakhovich.
“There is a possibility that the Americans will not introduce too harsh measures against European business and, therefore, there is a high probability that the project can really be completed next year. Yes, with a delay. But taking into account the fact that Germany is still interested in it, and America still will not dare to kick the backhand at German business, because it is cooperating with Russia on a commercial project. Therefore, the main version of these events is that next year the project will most likely be completed”, – Mitrahovic said in a conversation with Baltnews.
Earlier, the US House of Representatives approved the draft military budget for 2021, which provides for tougher sanctions against the Nord Stream-2 and Turkish Stream gas pipelines. A vote on sanctions must also take place in the Senate of the Congress.
Mitrahovic recalled that the United States already existed a legal framework on sanctions that allowed for restrictive measures: an act to counter America’s adversaries with sanctions in 2018.
However, in reality, the Americans are not stopped by the legal framework that they had, they are limited by the risk of too much quarrel with Europe.
“What kind of relationship is it between the allies if America is introducing tough measures against any large German company that participates in the project”, – Baltnews interlocutor emphasized.
“Formally, they (the USA – Baltnews comment) must coordinate these measures with their European allies and, frankly, it is quite difficult to present a specific measure against German business, when they still need to be coordinated, for example, with the Germans. But we can agree formally, say that we have informed German companies to withdraw from the project in advance. But they didn’t come out. This means that the agreement took place in such a specific form”, – the power engineer explained.
Nevertheless, there have been cases in history when the United States imposed sanctions against large French businesses, against BNP Paribas, which cooperated with Iran.
“Indeed, BNP had to pay a large fine equal to several billion euros, despite the fact that France is America’s ally, but Russia is not Iran. Russia is a much more important country for Europe”, – added Mitrahovic.
Therefore, punishing European companies for commercial work with Russia is a very serious and great impudence, a challenge to US-European relations, the energy expert summed up.
Baltnews