German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stated that abandoning the construction of the Nord Stream-2 pipeline would lead to irreversible consequences and European countries would lose influence over Russia
He pointed to the actions of the US, which opposes the project while increasing oil exports from Russia itself.
“Whoever in principle questions Nord Stream 2″ should also think about what at least the geostrategic implications of this would be and what it would mean in terms of opportunities for Europe to influence Russia”, – Maas said, speaking in the German Bundestag.
The German foreign minister warned that Russia’s economic isolation would lead to an even greater rapprochement with China. In his estimation, Moscow and Beijing will create “the biggest economic and military alliance available”. The West needs to stick to this strategy, the diplomat said. He added that “the strategy of burning bridges is not only wrong, but also dangerous”.
Earlier, it was reported that German and US officials are deciding right now whether Nord Stream 2 will be completed under sanctions pressure, or whether US authorities will lift the restrictions, speeding up the process.