Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Germany Will not proceed if Russia invades Ukraine, the US State Department has called to strengthen the West’s previous position on the strategically important gas supply.
As tensions mounted over Russia’s military build-up on its neighbor’s eastern border, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday night that the Biden administration was “working with Germany” to make sure it covers damage to the pipeline. be able to cope
“I want to be very clear: if Russia attacks Ukraine in one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not proceed,” Price told National Public Radio, “I’m not going to go into specifics. We will work with Germany to make sure it doesn’t escalate.”
Germany’s ambassador to Washington, Emily Haber, appeared to support the tightening of the situation in comments on Thursday. She noted on Twitter that “the US and Germany jointly announced last summer: a high price to Russia if Russia uses energy as a weapon or if there is another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.” Have to pay.”
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the Foreign Minister, Annalena Barbock, also clarified this. “Nothing will be off the table, including Nord Stream 2,” Haber said.
The US and Germany jointly declared last summer: Russia will pay a high price if Russia uses energy as a weapon or if there is another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.@Olafskolz And @Aberbock Clearly stated: nothing will detract from the table, including Nord Stream 2.
— Emily Haber (@germanambusa) 26 January 2022
The remarks came after a day of intense diplomatic activity, in which the US said it had found a way to meet Russian demands in Eastern Europe, as Moscow held security talks with Western nations and continued its military build-up. kept.
In a written reply personally delivered by its ambassador to Moscow, the US reiterated its commitment to uphold NATO’s “open-door” policy while offering a “principal and practical assessment” of the Kremlin’s concerns, the US Secretary of State said. Antony Blinken said.
Russia has called on NATO to withdraw troops and weapons from Eastern Europe and prevent its neighbor Ukraine, a former Soviet state, from ever joining. Washington and its NATO allies, such as the UK and France, reject that post But say they are ready to discuss other topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures.
“Putting things in writing … is a good way to make sure we’re as accurate as possible, and that the Russians understand our position, our thoughts as clearly as possible. Right now, the document is with them and the ball is in their court.” It is,” said Blinken.
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said: “While we are hoping and working on a good solution – de-escalation – we are also prepared for the worst.”
Europe’s most divisive energy project, Nord Stream 2, is designed to double the amount of gas flowing directly from Russia into Germany, replacing the traditional transit route through Ukraine via a pipeline along the Baltic Sea bed. Excluding.
It has faced resistance within the EU, from the US and Ukraine on the grounds that it increases Europe’s energy dependence on Russia and Ukraine denies transit fees at the time of Moscow’s wide-ranging standoff with the West.
The $11bn (£8.3bn) pipeline was first announced in 2015. Angela Merkel, who stepped down as German chancellor in 2021, was an ardent supporter as it promised to supply cheap fuel to 26m German homes.
But on long-held fears that it could give Vladimir Putin a greater advantage over Germany and other European countries, Ukraine has been greatly aggravated by the standoff.
Construction of the pipeline was completed in September, but its owner, the Russian gas company Gazprom, is awaiting final legal permission from German regulators to open the valves and send gas to the west.
The prospect of a supply cut by Russia in the event of a conflict has prompted the Biden administration to begin talks with gas-producing countries around the world to secure supplies for Europe.
A senior US official said this week that “contingency” plans were being drawn up, and the White House said Joe Biden would host Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Sunday, with his agenda “sure To do “Sustainability of global energy supply”.
When asked about reports that the industry has little capacity to provide essential supplies, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday that the logistics of moving the US, especially natural gas challenges were faced.
“This is part of our discussions with many companies and countries,” Saki said. “But again, these talks are ongoing and we do not intend to fail.”
On Thursday, Australia’s Resources Minister Keith Pitt declined to confirm whether Australian officials were in active discussions with Europeans about gas supplies.
He said Australia has been one of the most reliable suppliers of liquefied natural gas during the pandemic. “We will certainly continue to fulfill our existing contracts, but where there is a shortage Australia will always support our friends,” Pitt told Sky News Australia.
He added that whether a shortfall would provide a long-term opportunity to Australian exporters or become just a short-term fix was “a matter for exporters to determine”.