Merkel: "We Imported Energy from Russia Even During the Cold War... No Reason Gas Pipeline Shouldn't Connect"

Biden "Still Opposed to Nord Stream 2 Project"
Merkel "Will Continue Consultations with the US"... 95% Completion Rate

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her intention to continue the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Russia despite opposition from the United States and stated that she will engage in further negotiations with the U.S. The Nord Stream 2 project is currently nearing completion, but the connection of the pipeline within German territory has been delayed due to the U.S. government's continued opposition to the construction.

On the 25th (local time), Chancellor Merkel said at a press conference following the European Union (EU) summit, "Germany has traded energy with Russia even during the Cold War era, and what was possible then should not be impossible now," adding, "We will continue discussions with the U.S. regarding the Nord Stream 2 project." The Nord Stream 2 pipeline project was suspended for a year from December 2019 to December last year due to sanctions announced by the previous Donald Trump administration but has since resumed and is currently about 95% complete. It is reported that the connection work within German territory continues to be delayed due to the U.S. government's stance.

President Biden also stated at a White House press conference on the same day, "We still oppose the Nord Stream 2 project," but added, "However, the existing sanctions were lifted because the project is effectively finished, and sanctions are unlikely to change Germany's actions. Imposing sanctions now would only have a counterproductive effect on U.S.-Europe relations." Earlier, the U.S. State Department announced in a report submitted to Congress on the 19th that it plans to withdraw sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 project.

However, bipartisan opposition to the Nord Stream 2 project exists within U.S. politics, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting it, raising the possibility that sanctions may be reimposed in the future. According to the U.S. political media outlet Politico, following the U.S. State Department's announcement to withdraw sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project, Republican Senator James Risch of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee opposed the move, stating, "The completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline poses a threat to U.S. security and will destabilize the geopolitical structure." Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen also stated, "All measures must be mobilized to halt this project."

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