US State Department adviser Derek Scholle, who is on a visit to Poland, discussed with representatives of the Polish authorities the role of Warsaw in the fight against “Russian aggression”, as well as the fears of the two countries regarding the implementation of the project for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the US diplomatic service reported on Friday.
In the widespread statement of the State Department it is noted that during the talks, Scholle “highly appreciated the role of Poland in countering aggression from Russia and promoting democracy in Belarus.” According to this information, the adviser to the US State Department held meetings in Warsaw with representatives of the Polish Foreign Ministry, parliamentarians and members of the local business community.
“Scholle’s advisor also raised the issue of the importance of further strengthening Polish democratic institutions and protecting media freedom as key elements of a viable democracy. Finally, he discussed (with the Polish side) mutual concerns about the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline,” the US State Department said.
Scholle these days is making a European tour, during which the diplomat has already visited Ukraine, and is now in Poland.
Earlier, Germany and the United States published a joint statement, which refers to measures to support Ukraine, European energy security and common goals to protect the climate. It formulates a number of conditions for the operation of Nord Stream 2. In particular, the United States and Germany stated that in the interests of Ukraine and Europe to continue the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine after 2024, Berlin undertakes to use all available means of influence so that the agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on gas transit is prolonged. In particular, Germany is committed to seeking sanctions against Russia if it uses energy as a weapon against European countries.
Ukraine and Poland, in turn, published a joint statement yesterday, in which they expressed their intention to continue to jointly oppose the implementation of Nord Stream 2.
The Russian Federation has repeatedly called to stop mentioning Nord Stream 2 in the context of any politicization, since it is a commercial project that is beneficial to both Russia and the European Union. In addition, Moscow has repeatedly stated that the gas pipeline will be completed. Moscow noted that the agreement on gas transit to Europe through Ukraine will remain in force for the entire period of its operation, even after its completion, Moscow does not intend to abandon Ukrainian transit.