Die Welt: the US is threatening the European contractors "Nord stream — 2"
U.S. authorities are increasing pressure on German and European companies involved in the construction of "Nord stream — 2", the newspaper "Die Welt" with reference to sources.
It is emphasized that the United States conducted two videoconferences with contractors of the gas pipeline from Germany and other European countries to "to indicate the far-reaching consequences for their further participation in the project". They were attended by representatives of the state Department, the Ministry of Finance and US Department of energy.
As has told to the newspaper sources, U.S. officials "made it very clear that they want to prevent the completion of the construction of "Nord stream — 2".
The U.S. Senate approved on Thursday its version of the defense budget for the 2021 fiscal year, which includes additional sanctions against the "Nord stream — 2". Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is concerned about the sanctions against the pipeline, they are unacceptable and contrary to the law. He stressed that the situation will be analyzed to develop a strategy for implementation of the project.
The project "Northern stream — 2" involves the construction of a gas pipeline with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year from the Russian coast via the Baltic sea to Germany. Nord Stream AG 2 implements it with the sole shareholder — "Gazprom". European partners — Royal Dutch Shell, OMV, Uniper, Wintershall and Engie in total the project is financed by 50 percent. Against the construction of the pipeline actively support the US, the European Union promotes in its liquefied natural gas, and Ukraine, fearing to lose the transit. The United States in December imposed sanctions against the "Nord stream — 2", demanding that the companies immediately stop the construction of a gas pipeline. Swiss company Allseas almost immediately announced the suspension of such works. Russia has repeatedly pointed out that the project is commercial and profitable Europe.
Gazprom is taking steps to complete the gas pipeline, the essence of which he never disclosed, and is awaiting its launch in late 2020 or early 2021. Now laid about 94 percent of the pipes. In this June 4, several senators introduced in the U.S. Senate the bill on new sanctions against the pipeline — they apply to all vessels engaged in construction, those who facilitated the provision of these courts, provides for them, insurance and port services, as well as those who will provide the certification to start operation of the "Nord stream — 2".