Scholz, German Chancellor: "Russia, if hits Ukraine's economy, Nord Stream 2 will be stopped"

Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on the 12th (local time) that if Russia causes serious damage to Ukraine's economy, Germany would ban Russia from using the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Bloomberg News reported on the same day. This is interpreted as a somewhat ambiguous stance regarding the international community's demand to shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine. Bloomberg reported that Chancellor Scholz did not directly mention what measures the German government would take in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg News, Chancellor Scholz expressed his position on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and the situation in Ukraine, where the possibility of a Russian invasion has recently been raised, during his visit to Poland on the same day.

Chancellor Scholz expressed concern that the operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline could seriously damage Ukraine's gas transportation business.

Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline directly connecting Russia and Germany, completed last September. Germany has not yet allowed Russia to export natural gas using the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Once the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is operational, Russia could shut down the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which supplies natural gas to Europe through Ukraine. Ukraine earned huge fees from operating the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Additionally, by controlling Russia's natural gas supply route to Europe, Ukraine was able to check Russia. If the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is fully operational, Ukraine will not only lose significant economic benefits but also lose an important means to check Russia. Coincidentally, the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is being raised just before the operation of Nord Stream 2. Russia has long had conflicts with Ukraine and pursued the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to reduce its dependence on Ukraine for natural gas exports.

At a joint press conference with the Polish Prime Minister, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the need to protect Ukraine's economic interests.

Chancellor Scholz said, "We will do our best to help Ukraine's natural gas supply business," and "Germany will take all measures to ensure that natural gas continues to be supplied through Ukraine."

Chancellor Scholz also said, "Germany feels responsible for the success of Ukraine's gas transportation business," and "We will do our best to protect Ukraine's role as a gateway supplying natural gas to Europe." This is interpreted as an acknowledgment that economic damage could occur in Ukraine as the use of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline decreases when Nord Stream 2 is operational. Scholz also said, "I want to help Ukraine by having Russia extend its natural gas transportation contract with Ukraine." He stated that his hope for the success of Ukraine's gas transportation business aligns with that of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Former Chancellor Merkel said that the basic rationale for operating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is Russia's promise to continue using Ukraine's gas transit route.

The United States and Poland argue that Germany should shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, at a joint press conference with Chancellor Scholz on the same day, said that the operation of Nord Stream 2 could be a measure that strangles Ukraine and demanded the suspension of Nord Stream 2's operation.

A U.S. government official reportedly said in Congress on the 7th that they understand Germany should shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine. However, the Scholz government has not yet confirmed this. Chancellor Scholz said on the 8th that if Russia crosses the Ukrainian border, there will be consequences.

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