There is an agreement between the USA and Germany on Nord Stream 2
23:22
On Wednesday (July 21), the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on its website a joint statement by the US and Germany regarding the permit to complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Both countries announced that they would punish Russia if it decides to use energy as a tool of political blackmail against Ukraine and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
In the past, the Donald Trump administration has imposed severe sanctions on companies involved in the Russian-German gas pipeline. They were aimed at blocking the almost 95 percent of investment completed already now. Nord Stream 2 is to be ready within a few months. However, the new administration in the US decided to pursue a different policy towards investments.
The administration of Joe Biden has been of the opinion that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is already close to completion, is a threat to Europe's energy security, but the White House did not intend to stop the construction of the gas pipeline at the expense of spoiling relations with Berlin.
“When I became president, the pipeline was 95 percent complete. The sanctions made no sense,” the US president said last week, explaining his position.
Instead, he decided to cooperate with Germany. Biden's decision not to impose sanctions also received criticism from the ranks of his own Democratic Party.
As part of the agreement, the United States is withholding sanctions on the gas pipeline, and Germany will invest in Ukrainian projects and undertake sanctions in the event of hostile actions by Russia. However, Poland and Ukraine reject the agreement between the US and Germany and call for additional measures to remove the "security deficit" caused by this project.
