Nord Stream 2 is a way of survival for Berlin, and the US shouldn’t hope that Germany will abandon it. This is what Jeremy Stern, author of an article in the American publication Foreign Policy, called the pipeline.
“It seems that very few people in Washington thought that the German government sees Nord Stream 2 as a way of survival and intends to complete it at all costs, and any potential” deal “is likely to take place with the participation of the United States.” he wrote.
As Stern pointed out, the Republicans are confident that the US sanctions against Germany will help stop the construction of the gas pipeline, and the Democrats – that the project can be closed by reaching a compromise with the German side. “But no amount of US sanctions will convince Merkel to take the risk of letting Putin turn off the taps in an election year. No tariff concessions or NATO commitments will persuade her to undermine the benefits and viability of the German economy,” he wrote.
At the same time, Stern noted that Germany could change its decision on gas supplies from Russia if it abandoned the ban on nuclear fuel or would raise prices for energy in the industrial sector, reducing demand for it. “But this did not happen and will not happen, because all these actions are political suicide,” he added.
Earlier, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said that if the construction of Nord Stream 2 stops, Germany may face claims for damages in international arbitration courts.