German government spokesman Martina Fitz commented on US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Interfax reports.
According to her, Berlin’s position has not changed, the project is strictly economic. Fitz stressed that the sanctions were noted, but did not indicate whether there would be any reaction to them.
On the eve, on January 19, the Russian barge “Fortuna”, which, presumably, was supposed to complete the construction of the gas pipeline, and its owner, the micro-enterprise “KBT-Rus”, were hit. Washington has realized the threat for the first time since the fight against Nord Stream 2
The companies previously involved in the project left it themselves. So did the Swiss insurance company Zurich Insurance Group, the German engineering firm Bilfinger SE and the Danish Ramboll. The Norwegian DNV GL also left the project, which was supposed to take up the certification of the gas pipeline.
Against this background, Gazprom for the first time admitted that construction could be postponed indefinitely or even, under exceptional circumstances, stopped forever. In the latter case, the company will have to pay numerous compensation.
The German energy concern Uniper expects that the gas pipeline will be completed someday, and the main hope there is associated with US President Joe Biden, whose inauguration is to take place today, January 20. Meanwhile, key members of the team of the new head of the United States are still in favor of tougher sanctions.