When I took office as president, the pipeline was almost ready. When asked about the issue of imposing sanctions on entities involved in building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, said that imposing sanctions now would have the opposite effect in the context of our European relations.
During a press conference in White House gardens, Biden spoke about sanctions against companies building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
When asked why Germany and Russia were allowed to continue building Nord Stream 2, Biden replied: – First, because the pipeline is almost ready. It’s not like I’m letting the Germans do something or not. Personally, I have been against (create – editor) Nord Stream 2 from the start, and when I assumed my position as president, the pipeline was almost ready. Imposing sanctions now would be counterproductive in the context of our European relations. Our European allies know my own position on this issue. We hope to find a way forward with this situation.
Members of Congress are split over Nord Stream 2
On May 19, the State Department informed the US Congress that the president would not impose sanctions on the company overseeing construction of the pipeline from Russia to Germany, Nord Stream 2. It was motivated by national security reasons. The decision drew criticism from US parliamentarians.
Republican lawmakers believe that Joe Biden, who will soon meet the Russian president, gave Putin a gift, the German news agency DPA writes. On the other hand, Democratic representatives note that the White House is doing its utmost “to improve the climate of confidence in German-American relations, which has been damaged by Donald Trump’s disastrous policy toward Berlin.”
The offshore Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is nearly complete, with a total length of 1,200 km. According to official information, a section of only 13.9 kilometers in the case of the first line and 16.8 kilometers – in the case of the second line is missing in German waters. At the same time, the White House affirms that it fully understands Central European countries’ concerns that Nord Stream 2 could make the continent economically and politically dependent on Russia.
Nord Stream gas pipeline 2Door
Main image source: PAP / EPA / TASOS KATOPODIS / POOL
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