The construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is nearing completion despite US sanctions and futile US attempts to change Germany’s mind
The head of the US Department of State, Tony Blinken, has already discussed the situation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. It is known that Kiev is vehemently opposed to the launch of Nord Stream 2, because the importance of Ukraine as a transit country would disappear.
In the conversation, Blinken said the US was concerned about the continued construction, but could no longer do anything but try in vain to change Germany’s mind.
“We have consistently explained to Germany and, of course, to Russia that we think this is a bad idea”, – the State Department press office quoted Blinken as saying.
Kuleba, for his part, called on the US to take some real anti-Russian action, pointing in particular to the concentration of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine.
The 1,234-kilometre Nord Stream 2 pipeline runs in the territorial waters of Germany, Denmark, Russia, Finland and Sweden. Pipe-laying was scheduled to be completed back in late 2019, but the US has taken desperate measures, threatening sanctions against European companies involved in the project.
Germany, a key beneficiary of the project, had hoped to reach a deal with Washington after a White House rotation. With the election victory of Joe Biden, the German press reported on behind-the-scenes negotiations that would allow for a compromise on Nord Stream 2. Despite this, the new administration has continued to try to prevent the launch of the pipeline, which in the current situation is rather indicative.