Germany, "US Sanctions on Russia-Germany Gas Pipeline Connection, Serious Interference in Internal Affairs"

The installation work of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea
[Image source=Gazprom official website/www.gazprom.com]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The German government has strongly warned that the U.S. sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project, a gas pipeline directly connecting Russia's mainland to Germany, constitute serious interference in domestic affairs and that retaliatory measures could be taken at the German and European Union (EU) levels. This is interpreted as a strong expression of dissatisfaction following the recent submission of a bill by the Trump administration and the U.S. Republican Party to sanction high-ranking German politicians involved in the Nord Stream pipeline construction project.

According to foreign media including TASS on the 1st (local time), Nils Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Foreign Ministry, stated at a hearing held by the German Bundestag Economic Committee, "The additional U.S. sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project are a serious interference with the sovereignty of Germany and Europe," adding, "The U.S. additional sanctions could impact not only companies related to the Nord Stream 2 project but also high-ranking German officials." He further warned, "If the U.S. sanctions materialize, we may consider retaliatory measures in cooperation with the European Union (EU)."

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is a project connecting the gas pipelines within Russia's mainland operated by the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom to Germany's gas pipelines. It involves constructing two pipelines under the Baltic Sea between the two countries to enable direct gas supply from Russia to Germany. So far, 93% of the entire pipeline section has been completed.

However, the U.S. government has opposed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, arguing that its construction would increase Russia's influence in Europe and threaten European security. At the end of last year, the U.S. enacted the "European Energy Security Act" and imposed sanctions on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Earlier this year, a bill was submitted to the U.S. Congress, led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and the Republican Party, to sanction companies and individuals involved in the pipeline project, which is currently pending in Congress.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.