White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged during a briefing on Wednesday, February 23, that US statements about stopping the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project only apply to the present. The broadcast was on Twitter American administration.
“He [«Северный поток – 2»] not progressing at the moment . It is currently lying dead weight on the bottom of the sea,” she said.
Answering a journalist’s question whether the project was stopped forever, Psaki stressed that she was not going to reveal at what stage Washington is in this process.
Earlier, on February 23, US President Joe Biden introduced restrictions against the operating company Nord Stream 2 and its officials. According to him, this move is another part of the initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. At the same time, according to a Reuters source in the White House, restrictive measures will not affect the ex-Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder, who heads the committee of shareholders of Nord Stream AG.
On February 22, the American leader announced the introduction of the first tranche of sanctions against Russia, including, in particular, the application of restrictions against the country’s sovereign debt.
On February 23, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that US sanctions against Russia would hit global financial and energy markets, and ordinary citizens would feel the consequences. He stressed that Russia has long adapted to the threats and sanctions of the Western world.
Such a reaction from the West was caused by the signing by Russian President Putin of decrees recognizing the independence of the LPR and DPR and treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. On February 22, the Russian leader signed federal laws on the ratification of friendship and cooperation treaties with the DPR and LPR.
Earlier, on February 23, the German reinsurance company Munich Re announced the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 contract. The decision was made public back in February 2021. Then Munich Re stopped insurance of SP-2 against the backdrop of the threat of sanctions.
On February 22, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin regrets the suspension of the gas pipeline certification. According to him, this project has nothing to do with politics and is intended to become “a stabilizing element for the gas market in Europe.”
The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was completed on September 10, 2021. It was built from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea for the purpose of direct gas supplies to Europe. The EU countries mainly support the project and participate in its implementation. The Baltic States, Poland, the United States and Ukraine are opposed.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
