Germany has threatened the United States that it will retaliate for the pressure on Nord Stream 2. In particular, the head of the Bundestag Energy Committee, Klaus Ernst, called for the introduction of penal duties on the import of American gas, TASS reports. This is how he reacted to Washington’s decision to impose restrictions on the Fortuna pipelayer.
According to Ernst, new sanctions against the companies involved in the construction will not lead to the expected effect, but despite this, such actions are unacceptable. “It is also necessary to introduce penal duties on gas imports from the United States,” he said and expressed fears that the new American president would continue “his country’s aggressive economic policy.”
The construction of the gas pipeline stopped in December 2019 due to sanctions from the United States. In mid-January 2021, Denmark allowed the Fortuna barge to complete Nord Stream 2, but neither she nor the Akademik Chersky pipelayer have yet begun work. Construction start dates have not yet been announced.
Earlier on Tuesday, January 19, Gazprom first spoke about the possible failure of Nord Stream 2. The company says the project may be suspended or canceled due to political pressure, but still hopes to complete it “as soon as reasonably possible.”
At the same time, the Kremlin indicates that the project is facing rough pressure from the United States, but the authorities are focused on completing the project. “We are very closely monitoring the situation, analyzing it in order to continue consistent work on the finalization of this project,” said Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.