U.S. not ruling out sanctions against Nord Stream 2 - State Department

03.02.2021 10:40

Ukrinform

The United States is interested in maintaining Europe's collective energy security and reserves the right to impose sanctions on those who seek to complete or certify Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, a State Department spokesperson has said in response to an information request from an Ukrinform correspondent.

"As President [Joe] Biden made clear, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a bad deal," the spokesperson said, when asked to comment on reports in Western media outlets that sanctions against Nord Stream 2 might be lifted.

According to the response, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners "to ensure Europe has a reliable, diversified energy supply network that does not undermine collective security."

"We will monitor activity to complete or certify the pipeline and, if such activity takes place, make a determination on the applicability of sanctions," the spokesperson said.

German-language business newspaper Handelsblatt reported on February 1 that the U.S. government had signaled its readiness to discuss the possible lifting of U.S. sanctions against Nord Stream 2. The newspaper referred to a U.S. official who said the Germans have to offer package solutions to protect Europe's energy security and Ukraine's interests.

Photo: DPA

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