US Has ‘Understanding’ With Germany to Shut Nord Stream 2 Pipeline if Russia Invades Ukraine
United States officials have told members of Congress they have an understanding with Germany about shutting down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine, a senior congressional aide told Reuters on the 7th December.
The aide said US officials told Congress they have been in contact with their German counterparts in the event of an invasion, given the massing of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine.
US officials say they have received assurances from Germany the pipeline would be turned off, the aide said. But it was unclear if the two sides had agreed on a definition of invasion, the aide said.
A European diplomat told Reuters US officials had made it clear to allies that they would act to sanction the pipeline in the event of an invasion, which could make any German action a moot point.
“If the US imposes additional sanctions, it’s an academic point, because no one will be able to do business with Nord Stream 2 for fear of running afoul of US sanctions.”
German officials told reporters on the 7th December that there was still a process to complete before the pipeline would even start operations.
President Biden has long opposed the Russian-German pipeline. The US State Department has sanctioned Russian entities related to it, but not the company behind it, as it has tried to rebuild ties with Germany which deteriorated under Donald Trump’s administration.
Source: Pipeline & Gas Journal