What is the Nord Stream 2 pipeline

the american president Joe Biden has threatened to block the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in case Russia invades Ukraine.

The subsea pipeline sends Russian natural gas directly to Europe through Germany and is complete but not yet operational. It has become a major target as governments in the West try to dissuade Russia from attacking its neighbor.

On previous occasions it has been a source of tension between the United States, which opposed the project, and Germany. Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz said all options were being considered but avoided specifically mentioning Nord Stream 2 during a news conference with Biden in Washington.

If Russian tanks enter Ukraine, “there will be no more Nord Stream 2,” Biden said Monday. Scholz stressed the need to maintain some ambiguity about sanctions in order to put pressure on Russia.

Here are some points to understand about the gas pipeline:

What is Nord Stream 2?

A 1,230-kilometre (764-mile) long gas pipeline that passes under the Baltic Sea, from Russia to the German coast.

It would double the capacity of the previous gas pipeline, Nord Stream, to 110,000 million cubic meters of gas per year and its construction does not go through Poland or Ukraine, which would lose transit quotas. They further claim that the project would give Russia advantages over Europe.

The pipeline is filled with gas but is not yet operational until it receives approval from German regulators and the European Commission.

Why does Russia want the pipeline?

Russian state-owned producer Gazprom says it will meet Europe’s growing need for cheap natural gas and complement existing pipelines through Belarus and Ukraine.

Europe imports most of its gas and receives around 40% from Russia. Nord Stream 2 would offer an alternative to Ukraine’s outdated system, reduce costs by avoiding transit fees paid to Poland and Ukraine, and avoid episodes such as the brief supply interruptions in 2006 and 2009 due to price and payment disputes between Russia and Ukraine.

Why is Biden opposed?

The United States, European allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) such as Poland, and Ukraine have opposed the project since before Biden became president. They say the pipeline gives Russia the ability to use gas as a geopolitical weapon.

Biden exempted the pipeline operator from sanctions once it was nearing completion in return for a commitment from Germany to take action against Russia if it used the gas supply as a weapon or attacked Ukraine. But Washington still thinks Nord Stream 2 is a bad idea.

Meanwhile, Scholz, who took over the reins of Germany in December, backed the project when he was Angela Merkel’s finance minister, as did her Social Democrat party.

Although he has avoided referring specifically to Nord Stream 2, Scholz says that Russia would face “serious consequences” and that sanctions must be ready in advance.

How would Biden block Nord Stream 2?

The United States could impose tough financial sanctions — penalizing anyone with pipeline-related business, scaring away banks and businesses, and making pipeline operations impossible.

Biden has not said if that will be his strategy. Asked Monday how the United States would stop something that is under German control, Biden said only: “I promise you we can do it.” Scholz added: “I assure you that there will be no measure where we have a different position. We will act together.”

In the US Congress, Republicans and Democrats, in a rare show of agreement, have long opposed the pipeline because of the advantage it gives Russia over Europe. They have been divided for months over whether to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 now or only if Russia invades Ukraine. Legislation supporters have refused to reveal what concessions are being weighed.

In Germany, the approval process has been presented as a strictly legal decision, not a political one, raising questions about what mechanism would be used in the event of a Russian attack. In Europe, sanctions against Russia for its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in 2014 were agreed at the European Union (EU) level.

Will Nord Stream 2 help alleviate Europe’s natural gas crisis?

Not immediately or directly. With regulatory approval several months away, the pipeline cannot meet electricity and heating needs this winter, as the continent faces gas shortages. Gazprom could, if it so chooses, send more gas through existing pipelines.

The winter shortage has fueled fears around Russia and gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the shortage highlights the need for a quick approval of Nord Stream 2. Russia refrained from selling gas in the short term — though it honored its long-term contracts with European customers — and did not fill its underground storage facility. in Europe.

Some analysts say Russia had to fill its own reserves first, and Gazprom has emphasized its role as a reliable long-term supplier. Whatever the reason, Putin’s comments have not allayed fears that Russia is willing to use the gas to gain negotiating power.

Is Russia the king of gas?

That is very simplistic. While Europe needs Russian gas, Gazprom also relies on the European market to finance the government budget. And the EU has been able to force Gazprom to comply with many of its antitrust rules in recent years.

That interdependence is why many think Russia will not cut off gas supplies to Europe even if the conflict over Ukraine intensifies, and Russian officials have stressed that they have no intention of doing so.