The Bundestag has rejected a resolution by the Greens demanding a review of Russia’s policy and a refusal to build the Nord Stream-2 pipeline.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – June 11, 2021 – Economy
“The proposal was rejected in a direct vote by a majority of the CDU / CSU factions, the Social Democratic Party of Germany, Alternatives for Germany and the Left Party,” the Greens said in a statement.
The resolution was entitled “Revision of the policy in Russia – consistently protect human rights, democracy, and the European world order.” The document called for “recognizing that a new pipeline, such as Nord Stream 2, is not needed for Europe’s energy supply, but is, above all, harmful to the climate.”
History of the gas pipeline
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two branches of a gas pipeline with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The founder of Nord Stream 2 AG is Russia’s Gazprom.
The project is funded by European companies: French Engie, Austrian OMV, British-Dutch Shell, German Uniper, and Wintershall.
The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline has already been built by more than 90%. The new pipeline bypassing Ukraine was planned to be completed by the end of 2019, along with the existing Nord Stream-1.
The United States has imposed a series of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and has repeatedly called on European allies and private companies to suspend construction of the pipeline.
On January 7, 2021, a fund was established in Germany to support the completion of Nord Stream-2.
18 companies have already refused to participate in the gas pipeline project or plan to do so due to the threat of sanctions.
On February 6, Nord Stream 2 AG announced the continuation of pipeline works.
On March 14, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said Europe did not need the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. Nevertheless, Germany continues to insist on the completion of the project.
On March 19, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on the companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 to immediately stop laying pipes and threatened to impose new sanctions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline a trap for countries across Europe.
On April 20, 2021, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that Ukraine should remain a transit country for Russian gas to Europe, despite Germany’s decision to complete the construction of Russia’s Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline.
On May 19, 2021, the US State Department announced that it would not impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, which is responsible for the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, and its head Matthias Warning. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the abandonment of these sanctions “is in the national interests” of the country.
On May 26, 2021, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba noted that in the case of Nord Stream-2 Ukraine will fight for national interests to the end.
On June 1, 2021, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that after the launch of the Russian Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, Russia will do everything possible not to extend the current contract for the transit of natural gas through Ukraine.
On June 4, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the completion of the construction of the first line of Nord Stream-2.
On June 4, 2021, the National Security and Defense Council spoke about Ukraine’s chances to stop the launch of Nord Stream-2.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that the decision not to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its director Matthias Warning may be reconsidered.
On June 8, a delegation from the national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy, led by Chairman of the State Company Yuri Vitrenko, arrived in the United States to hold a series of business meetings to convince US senators of sanctions against the Nord Stream-2 pipeline under construction.
On June 9, 2021, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated that he had held “difficult” negotiations in Berlin on the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline and the “Norman format”.
Read also: Blinken: We Warned Ukraine About the Decision on Nord Stream 2
Source: Ukrgate
