Germany is still “at present” behind the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which runs from Russia to Germany. So said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had previously condemned Russia’s expulsion of Swedish, German and Polish diplomats.
Russia accused diplomats of participating in illegal protests last month surrounding the arrest of opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Merkel described the deportations as “unjustified” and described Moscow’s decision as another step away from the rule of law.
It is reported that the German Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador for an emergency meeting. The German position could have been clearly explained to the Russians. The German position in Nord Stream 2 is not affected by this riot at the moment. Merkel said: “This is a project on which you know the position of the federal government.” The German government said earlier that the gas pipeline provides a direct and safe energy supply.
Germany had recently allowed the pipeline project to resume after the previous permit had expired. With Nord Stream 2, it will double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea.
The United States is against construction. The US government wants Europe to free Europe from its dependence on Russian gas, because the Russians thus have influence in Western Europe. Washington has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on companies involved in building the pipeline, which is nearing completion. One of these companies is the Shell Oil and Gas Group. European countries such as Poland and Ukraine are also strongly opposed to the project.
