The issues of Nord Stream 2, which is “an economic project,” and the situation around Ukraine should not be confused, according to the German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht in the interview with the RBB German radio station.
“We do not need to involve this [the topic of Nord Stream 2 – approx.] into this conflict,” she said adding that “projects that are not related to this at all” should not be used to find solutions.”
However, Sputnik reported that the US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, said it is very difficult to imagine the Nord Stream 2 pipeline becoming operational if Russia advances on Ukraine.
“The Germans federal network agency has suspended certification, and Secretary Blinken has said, which underscores what Undersecretary Nuland said to quote the secretary from our perspective, it’s very hard to see gas flowing through the pipeline for it to become operational if Russia renews its aggression on Ukraine,” Sherman said.
Moreover, the US top diplomat went on to say that “it is the Russian geopolitical project that undermines energy security and national security.” This refers to the United States stance pressing Germany to halt the Nord Stream 2 pipeline because of the alleged “Russian invasion” in Ukraine, even though Russia has repeatedly said it possesses no threat to anybody.
Moreover, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland, claimed that America is working alongside EU partners to halt certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is encouraging Germany not to give it official approval. Also, Washington is considering further sanctions against Russia if it “invades” Ukraine.
“What we are doing now is working with the Germans, working with the EU to slow their consideration of the implementation of the pipeline,” Nuland said. “This German Government has taken significant steps to do that, and they’ve also reconfirmed the agreement we had with the previous government with regard to what happens to Nord Stream 2 – namely, it’s suspended if Russia aggresses against Ukraine.”
Ru-Main, 13.01.2022
Source: TASS
