Germany strikes Russia, suspends Nord Stream II pipeline

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will suspend the operation of the Nord Stream II pipeline, due to Russia’s recent activities in eastern Ukraine.

Scholz has said that due to Russian recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk, the decision on the pipeline certification will remain pending.

“In response to Russian activities in Ukraine, the federal government is suspending the Nord Stream II pipeline project. This decision sounds technical, but it is a necessary administrative action, so that the pipeline certification does not happen. Without this certification, “Nord Stream II will not be able to function”, Scholz told reporters in Berlin.

The pipeline between Russia and Germany was completed last September, but is not yet operational. “Nord Stream II” is a project completed in partnership between the Russian company Gazprom, which owns 51% of the shares, and several German, Dutch and French companies.

From the beginning, the project was not approved by Western allies, who saw it as a project by which Russia seeks to expand its economic and political influence in Europe.

In recent months, as the conflict in eastern Ukraine escalated, many Western officials have stressed that the Nord Stream II blockade should be part of sanctions the West could use against Russia.

Although the new German government has been cautious about suspending the project, recent Russian activities and the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent territories have forced Germany to speed up the sanctions process, which will include this controversial project.

The Geopost