Germany Raises Pressure on Russia Over Navalny... Officially Mentions "Reconsidering Natural Gas Pipeline Project"

German Foreign Minister Mentions Nord Stream 2 for First Time Within Government... Consults Neighboring Countries on Sanctions
Germany's Position Shift: Distinguishes Navalny from Nord Stream
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[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] In connection with the poisoning incident of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, the German government has intensified pressure on Russia. The German government officially mentioned the possibility of suspending 'Nord Stream 2,' the natural gas pipeline sending gas from Russia to Germany.

Pipeline used in the NodeStream2 project
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to foreign media on the 6th (local time), Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister, said in an interview with the German weekly Bild am Sonntag, "I hope that Germany's stance towards Russia will not change due to Russia's refusal to participate in a joint investigation regarding Navalny's poisoning," adding, "If Germany does not express willingness to cooperate on this issue within a few days, we will begin discussions with neighboring countries on how to respond."

Both the German opposition and ruling parties had demanded a review of the Nord Stream 2 project following the Navalny incident. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had stated, "These two issues (the Navalny case and Nord Stream 2) should be treated separately," indicating that the two matters would not be linked. Minister Maas's remarks suggest that the German government's previous position may change. Foreign media interpreted Minister Maas's interview as the first indication from the Merkel administration that the attack on Navalny could affect the Nord Stream 2 project.

On January 19th this year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin are walking side by side at the Libya peace talks held in Berlin. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Nord Stream 2 is a project to double the volume of natural gas supplied directly from Russia to Germany by connecting a 1,230 km natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. Currently, only 150 km of construction remains. The discussion of reviewing the project in Germany, which had maintained the project despite pressure from the United States, reflects the judgment that to effectively impact Russia, which has developed resistance through successive sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 project must be addressed.

Although Minister Maas mentioned a change in the German government's stance, he still maintained a cautious attitude. He said, "Those demanding the project's cancellation should also understand the consequences," adding, "More than 100 companies from 12 European countries are involved in Nord Stream 2, about half of which are German companies." This means that if problems arise in the project, not only Russia but also German and European companies will inevitably suffer damage.

Additionally, calls for former German Chancellor Gerhard Schr?der to clarify his position have increased in Germany. Gazprom, the Russian state-owned gas company, is overseeing the Nord Stream 2 project, and after stepping down as Chancellor, Schr?der has served as chairman of the Nord Stream 2 shareholders' committee. The German political circles are demanding, "Former Chancellor Schr?der must immediately resign from his position at Gazprom."

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