Germany tried to persuade the United States not to impose sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline during negotiations at various levels. This is stated in the response of the Cabinet of Ministers to the parliamentary inquiry of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) faction in the German Bundestag, RIA Novosti reports.
“[The German government] worked closely with partners in the EU and with the union itself on the issue of extraterritorial sanctions. In 2020-2021, it also participated in the demarches of several EU member states in Washington against these US sanctions,” the statement said. .
At the same time, negotiations with Washington on Nord Stream 2 are confidential, and Berlin will not provide information on their content. Germany stressed that the federal government also maintains contacts with companies involved in the construction of the gas pipeline.
On March 17, Reuters, citing sources, reported that the German authorities had changed their tactics in the fight for Nord Stream 2. To avoid pressure from the United States, the government decided to drag out the time and move on to specific proposals only after the route is built. Berlin believes that US President Joe Biden, unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, will treat the situation pragmatically and will not accept principle.