Head of Eurodiplomacy Borrell: the decision on Nord Stream 2 is in the hands of Germany
Photo: Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters
The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell declined to raise the topic of Nord Stream 2 during his visit to Ukraine. The head of European diplomacy told about this to the Polish newspaper PAP.
“We are now focusing all our efforts on defusing tensions and preventing a worsening of the situation,” Borrell explained. According to him, the decision on the gas pipeline is entirely in the hands of the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), which acts as a state regulator in the Nord Stream 2 deal.
Earlier, Klaus-Dieter Maubach, head of one of the Nord Stream 2 investor companies, CEO of the German energy company Uniper, said that certification of the gas pipeline could be completed by mid-2022. He added that the audit being carried out in relation to the BNetzA transaction is fully in line with the plans.
On January 4, it also became known that the US Senate is preparing a package of sanctions against Nord Stream 2. A spokesman for the Senta Republican faction said the vote will take place on January 14. He gave assurances that the Senate would pass the sanctions bill and submit it to the House of Representatives.
Nevertheless, US President Joe Biden has already signed the US defense budget for 2022 in December 2021. The law provides for funds to contain Russia, but the document rejected new sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
