US threatens sanctions for participation in Nord Stream 2 pipeline
European companies participating in the “Nord Stream 2” pipeline will incur the serious risk of sanctions from the US stated Frank Fannon, US Assistant Secretary of State and Energy Resources, according to Voice of America.
“Companies that operate in the Russian energy pipeline sector are engaging in business activity that carries with it a significant risk of sanctions, this applies to Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream,” said Fannon.
He also expressed the opinion of the US government about the Russian construction of gas pipelines that bypass Ukraine. The best way to ensure that Ukraine has the opportunity to serve as a valuable partner in European natural gas transport after 2019 is to make sure that Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream are not constructed.”
“Europe’s reliance on Russian gas makes it strategically vulnerable. Russia can and should remain a gas supplier to Europe, but should not dominate the market in order to achieve its hostile political goals. Nord Stream 2 divides Europe and strengthens the Russian position to use its energy resources to apply political pressure and harmful influence,” Fannon asserts.
According to him, the construction of these pipelines will allow Russia to “strengthen their aggressive military presence in the Baltic regions,” and the organization of a natural gas supply to Europe bypassing Ukraine “will remove an important restriction on further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
“Energy resources are one of the hybrid tools that Russia uses to spread their harmful influence and foment disagreements in the trans-Atlantic community. This is why the US continues to strongly oppose Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream,” stated Fannon.
“The US will continue its diplomatic advocacy for the achievement of energy security through diversifying sources and the means and suppliers of those energy resources. To be more specific, we expect the European Commission to make amendments to the Gas Directive—we consider it an important step toward achieving future transparency, which Europe has long sought. We also support the actions of Denmark regarding their national security,” he added.
As previously reported, the Nord Stream 2 AG has begun laying its first pipes for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.