Bloomberg: The situation around Nord Stream 2 and the expanding influence of the Russian Federation may “quarrel” the US and Germany

The situation around Nord Stream 2 and the expanding influence of Russia may become a reason for disagreement between the US and Germany. Bloomberg writes about this, citing sources. According to the interlocutors of the agency, Washington doubted that Berlin was ready to impose tough sanctions, and they were already talking about the “problem of Germany.”

Bundestag MP and Foreign Policy Speaker of Germany’s Social Democratic Party faction Niels Schmid told the agency that it was “easy for the US to call on Germany to take a tougher stance.” According to him, the West should ask itself whether it is ready to pay the economic price, including a possible energy boycott.

“There are good reasons not to do this,” the parliamentarian said.

Bloomberg reported about the discussion of the “problem of Germany” in the United States against the background of the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock to Moscow. She, in particular, spoke about the presence of a “chubby folder” of disagreements in relations with Russia. For example, Burbock has said that the future of Nord Stream 2 will depend on whether Russia will use energy as a weapon.

Recall that the previous German government, headed by Angela Merkel, has repeatedly expressed interest in continuing the Nord Stream 2 project.

Gazprom announced the completion of the construction of the gas pipeline in September 2021. Subsequently, however, the project certification process was suspended. Burbock explained that the operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not yet fully compliant with EU law, and therefore its certification has been suspended.