Ukraine: Putin has 'framed the debate' surrounding de-escalation
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken openly called on the EU and Germany to block the project if Russia renews its aggression. He also told Berlin to use certification of the Russian pipeline project as leverage to settle tensions.
He added: “Some may see Nord Stream 2 as leverage that Russia can use against Europe. In fact, it’s leverage for Europe to use against Russia.”
This comes as European gas prices surged above 30 percent this week as continued low supplies from Russia sparked concerns of an energy crisis.
It has now been 17 days in a row that Russian President Vladimir Putin has diverted gas flow to the East through the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which usually brings gas to the West.
Meanwhile, tension with the West has also been escalating over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine after there were reports of around 100,000 Russian troops piling up at the Russia-Ukraine border.
Even in Germany, where there has previously been hesitation to use the pipeline as leverage, things are changing as the coalition is split over how to deal with Mr Putin.
German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock went beyond Chancellor Olaf Scholz insistence to treat the pipeline as a private economic project.
She argued that Nord Stream 2 had clear “geopolitical implications” that Berlin had recognized in a joint declaration with Washington.
Ms Baerbock said: “We agreed on this, together with our European partners, that we take effective measures together with our European partners should Russia use energy as a weapon or should it continue its aggressive acts against Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, the EU has demanded that it gets a seat on the table during the talks between the US and Russia.
Ms Baerbock said: “It is out of the question — and let me make it very, very clear at this point in time — there cannot be a decision on the security in Europe without Europe.
“It is crucial for me, and pivotal, to involve the partners in Europe which are affected.”
This echoes the sentiments of EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, who said: “The delimitation of the sphere of influence of the two big powers does not belong to 2021/2022.”
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“There is no security in Europe without the security of Ukraine. It is clear that any discussion on European security must include the European Union and Ukraine.”
Politicians in the US are currently debating on whether to impose sanctions on Russia over Nord Stream 2.
The US Senate is preparing to vote next week on legislation from Republican Senator Ted Cruz that would force Mr Biden to impose Nord Stream 2 sanctions.
While the democrats previously supported this legislation, they’ve since shifted their stance as passing the law would undercut Mr Biden as he looks to project unity with European allies — and would remove a key leverage point in the talks.
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