The current American administration would like to return to close cooperation with Germany, but the stumbling block in relations between Washington and Berlin is Nord Stream-2.
According to eadaily, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised the issue of Nord Stream-2 during a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden on the occasion of his inauguration.
“Biden, by exchanging pleasantries with Merkel, is jeopardizing the consensus between Democrats and Republicans on the gas pipeline project from Russia to Germany”, – the author of the article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung said.
The publication recalls a letter sent by two senators to the US President, in which they urge not to abandon the tough policy of the Trump administration on the issue of “Nord Stream-2”. In addition, it is not yet clear what the concession of the US President may be, given Berlin’s adamant position on the fate of the pipeline.
“This describes the dilemma Biden faced. The pipeline has long been the subject of controversy between Germany and the United States. Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made it clear that they care about improving relations with their allies, and above all with Berlin. However, the example of Nord Stream-2 shows how difficult it is in practice to “switch the lever”, – the article says.