US: If Russia Invades Ukraine, Gas Pipeline Connecting Germany Will Never Operate

Strong Warning to Russia... Germany Also Joins In
US President Biden Meets Qatari Emir to Discuss Response Measures Expected

Gas supply through the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which connects Russia to Germany via Belarus and Poland, was cut off on the 21st of last month (local time), Reuters reported citing a report from German energy transport company Gascade. In Europe, gas prices are soaring due to Russia's supply restrictions, and there are concerns that power outages could occur in major cities in the worst-case scenario. The photo shows the Yamal-Europe pipeline in Nyasvizh, southwestern Belarus. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] The U.S. government has warned that if Russia invades Ukraine, the gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany will never be allowed to operate.

On the 26th (local time), Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said on the public radio NPR, "If Russia invades Ukraine in any way, the gas pipeline 'Nord Stream 2' connecting Germany will not move an inch," adding, "We will cooperate with Germany to ensure this."

Emily Haber, the German ambassador to the U.S., also supported this stance. Through Twitter on the same day, she warned, "If Russia uses energy as a weapon or invades Ukraine, it will have to pay a heavy price," and added, "The U.S. and Germany already expressed this position together last summer."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also stated, "We are considering everything, including Nord Stream 2, as targets for sanctions."

Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline over 1,200 km long, constructed on the floor of the Baltic Sea. Once operational, the volume of natural gas transported directly from Russia to Germany will double.

However, this pipeline could cause Europe to become heavily dependent on Russian energy. There are concerns that transit fee revenues from Ukraine, through which the Russia-Europe natural gas pipeline passes, could be cut off, potentially dividing Europe. Therefore, German authorities have not approved the operation of the pipeline despite its completion last September. Especially amid growing concerns over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, opposition to the opening of Nord Stream 2 within the European Union (EU) is increasing.

There are also fears that Russia might cut off natural gas supplies to Europe simultaneously with an invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission is preparing countermeasures in anticipation of a halt in gas supplies from Russia.

Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for Energy, and Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, plan to discuss resolving this issue with LNG from the U.S. and other countries at the U.S.-EU Energy Council meeting early next month.

The U.S. is also taking measures. The British daily The Guardian, citing a senior U.S. official, reported that the U.S. government is preparing an emergency plan. One aspect of this plan involves President Joe Biden meeting with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, on the 30th to discuss topics including "ensuring the stability of global energy supply."

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