Germany and the U.S. will cancel Nord Stream II in case of escalation in Ukraine

Washington and Berlin agreed that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not receive an operating license in the event of renewed “escalation” in Ukraine.

Due to the tense security situation, “it was agreed between the Americans and the previous German government” under Angela Merkel “that in case of new escalation, this pipeline could not be put into operation,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told German television network ZDF, at a time when the West fears a Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

The Foreign Minister thus clarified the threats—mostly veiled—made on the Nord Stream 2 issue by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“It would be a grave mistake to believe that the violation of the borders of a European country would remain without consequences,” Scholz said this evening during a visit to Poland.

The Foreign Minister of his government, who took office last week, also reminded that the pipeline connecting Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, in any case “cannot at present receive authorization because it does not comply with European energy legislation.”

The pipeline, strongly backed on one side by Russian President Vladimir Putin and on the other by Angela Merkel over the past years to ensure Europe’s gas supply, has been criticized by a number of countries.

Germany’s top diplomat called for focusing on diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

“We are at a stage right now where we want everything possible to be done to resume talks, because dialogue is the best way to avoid an escalation,” she said.

Source: ANA-MPA