Calls to halt the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline do not reflect the views of most Germans. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder stood up for the project with such a statement. Deutsche Welle reports on this on Saturday, January 30, referring to his interview with the Die Rheinische Post.
According to him, the gas pipeline should “ensure the energy security of the next generation” in the light of the abandonment of nuclear and coal power plants. Schroeder believes that the liquefied gas that the United States is seeking to supply to Germany is damaging to the environment, too expensive and not so convenient to use.
“In terms of energy policy, we will cut off the branch on which we are sitting, if we stop construction,” the ex-chancellor warned.
On January 29, Bundestag deputy Roderich Kiesewetter said that stopping the construction of the pipeline is fraught with serious risks, including due to the huge compensation that Germany will have to pay.
On January 19, Washington, for the first time, realized the threat and imposed restrictions on the Russian barge Fortuna, which was going to be used to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2. After that, Gazprom admitted for the first time that construction could be postponed indefinitely, and under exceptional circumstances even forever.
Gerhard Schroeder is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Swiss company Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as the Board of Directors of Rosneft.
