Laying a microtunnel during the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline near Lubmin. File photoMOSCOW, 4 Feb. Nord Stream 2 can be stopped if the United States manages to «offer something in return» for Russia, ex-Foreign Minister of Germany, former Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel suggested in an interview with Wirtschafts Woche. The German politician stressed that he always considered the construction of the Russian pipeline «as a real project».
"It would be rather foolish to withdraw this project from discussion now. Because if you want to negotiate, then you have to offer something. I am sure that the United States thinks the same way", Gabriel expressed the opinion.
The former head of the German Foreign Ministry also recalled that Washington had opposed the German-Russian pipelines in the past, temporarily imposing restrictive measures against them.» Skepticism The US was nothing new. <…> Current Secretary of State Anthony Blinken even wrote a book about the Siberian Pipeline Crisis in 1987,» the politician concluded. from Russia to Europe. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is being certified by the German regulator. This process is on hold pending the required documentation. When this regulator issues a draft decision, the opinion of the European Commission will be required. The EC intends to consult with Ukraine in the process of forming its opinion.