Germany has no intention of cutting off Nord Stream 2 no matter what the US says, according to Berlin officials familiar with the plans
Instead of targeting a direct gas connection with Russia, the government will focus on broader sanctions at the European Union level, a more difficult path to retaliate against the Kremlin, said the officials, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
US President Joe Biden has tried to persuade the Germans to pledge a tough response. Although Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to take action “at the national level” as part of the 21 July agreement, Berlin’s reluctance to take the final step and shut off the gates is a blow to the White House.
The officials’ comments may reinforce Biden’s critics in Congress, who say he has conceded the dispute. Senate Republicans this week threatened to block Biden’s two nominations for treasury secretary if the administration does not lift sanctions aimed at halting the project.
With the 1,230km (760-mile) pipeline 99 per cent complete and the remainder due to be completed in August, attention is turning to what happens when the gas starts flowing.
Berlin’s approach is likely to persist even after Merkel leaves office after the 26 September election. Support for the Russian pipeline spans the political spectrum, and legal issues will complicate any targeted action.
During a visit to Washington on July 15, Merkel drew a line under American attempts to get Germany to make a stronger commitment to retaliate against Russia. The chancellor made it clear that she preferred an EU solution that would require the agreement of the 27 member states.
Asked after the meeting whether her options for shutting down the pipeline included, Merkel said: “We have a number of instruments – it will be at the European level, not at the German level – that we can implement.”