The possibility of completing the laying of Nord Stream 2 exists, despite restrictions and continuing threats from Washington.
This opinion was expressed on the air of radio Sputnik by a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Director of the RUSSTRAT Institute Elena Panina.
According to the parliamentarian, in 2021, the key issue related to the gas pipeline will be the ability to ensure its full-scale operation.
“Nord Stream 2, perhaps we will finish building it, there really is very little left (to build – ed.). The question is how it will function in the future, because the United States, or rather, Biden, already stated that they intend to restore transatlantic solidarity, which, according to Biden, was broken during the Trump era. This means greater contact with the European Union, primarily with Germany. In this regard, everything possible will be done to prevent Nord Stream 2 it was operated, and in case of commissioning, it was not operated at the capacity that we expect, “Elena Panina noted on the air of Sputnik radio.
According to the legislator, in such conditions Russia can build relations with the European countries interested in the emergence of the pipeline in such a way as to “oppose the pressure from the US with the possibility of taking into account their national interests.”
Nord Stream 2 envisages the construction of two trunk lines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the Russian coast through the Baltic Sea to Germany.
The United States actively opposes the gas pipeline, advancing its liquefied natural gas to Europe. In December 2019, Washington imposed sanctions on the project, requiring companies to immediately halt construction. The Swiss Allseas then almost immediately announced the suspension of work.
In October, the US State Department announced the introduction of new restrictions that will affect firms that provide services or funds for the modernization or installation of equipment on ships for laying the pipeline.
In early December, the US Congress approved a defense budget, which had not yet been signed by the country’s president, containing further restrictions on Nord Stream 2 and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.
Moscow, in turn, has repeatedly called for treating the project exclusively as an economic one. The Kremlin stressed that Nord Stream 2 is beneficial to European countries, as it helps to strengthen their energy security.
As previously noted in the press service of the operator of the project Nord Stream 2 AG, on December 11, the Russian pipe-laying vessel “Fortuna” began the completion of the “Nord Stream-2” in German waters.
Work is currently underway in the area between the German port of Sassnitz and the Danish island of Bornholm, where pipes are to be laid on a 2.6 km section in the exclusive economic zone of Germany at a depth of less than 30 meters.
It is expected that the German section of the pipeline will be completed by December 31, and in January-March 2021, depending on weather conditions, it will remain to lay the section in the water area of Denmark.
Earlier, Sputnik radio reported that the media had stated that the US attempts to stop the laying of Nord Stream 2 had failed.
And from the short audio clip below you will find out which countries are participating in the construction of the Nord Stream.