The expert commented on the US threats to the "Nord stream — 2"
The announcement of the state Department on the possible sanctions against a wide range of individuals and organizations involved in the Russian project "Northern stream - 2" and "Turkish stream" is a serious escalation in relations between the US and Germany and can lead to concessions by Berlin in procurement of LNG to the us, said Professor of international relations, Hamilton College in new York, Alan Cafruny.
U.S. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday that the state Department published recommendations in the framework of the Law on combating the enemies of America through sanctions, including the document "Nord stream - 2" and second thread "Turkish stream." These actions put at risk the us sanctions on investments and other actions associated with the Russian export gas pipelines.
"The decision to include Pompeo "Nord stream – 2" in section 232 CAATSA ("the Law on counteraction to enemies of America by sanctions"), of course, represents a major escalation of tension in us-German relations, especially given the fact that it occurs on the wave of unilateral decisions trump the withdrawal of American troops from Germany," Cafruny told RIA Novosti.
According to him, despite the fact that German legislators have proposed a series of response measures, both unilateral and on behalf of the European Union, including the introduction of duties for American LNG in the EU there is no unity on this issue.
"It is doubtful that Berlin was able to organize a collective response. Moreover, its high dependence on the us market means that Germany does not want to provoke a trade war with the United States," - said Cafruny.
He noted that while there is no clarity about the real US intentions to impose sanctions related to the "Nord stream – 2", which is almost complete. In addition, Cafruny drew attention to the wording in the law, which obliges the US to coordinate sanctions with allies.
"The response USA "Nord stream -2", and "Turkish stream" is based primarily on commercial considerations. So there is a possibility that the threat of sanctions will allow the United States to get more concessions from Germany and the EU in relation to the export of LNG, and also to the relations with Ukraine," - says Cafruny.
"Nord stream 2" - building a new export pipeline from Russia to Europe via the Baltic sea. The entry point of the gas pipeline in the Baltic sea - the area of Ust-Luga in Leningrad region, output in Germany near Greifswald. The length of the route - more than 1.2 thousand kilometers. The total capacity of the two strands of "Nord stream 2" - 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The total designed capacity of "Nord stream" and "Nord stream 2" is 110 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
Against the project actively advocate USA, in the EU promoting its liquefied natural gas, as well as Ukraine and several European countries. States in December imposed sanctions against the project, demanding that the companies doing the strip, to immediately stop the construction. Russia has repeatedly stated that the project is a commercial and profitable Europe.