A group of US congressmen asked Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for a report on the White House's plans to impose new sanctions due to the resumption of construction of Nord Stream 2. The letter was published on the website of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The congressmen noted that the European Energy Security Act (PEESCA) implies mandatory sanctions against sea vessels that are involved in laying the pipeline and companies supporting them.
In particular, American lawmakers are interested in the current status of the project after publications on the resumption of installation. Congressmen stressed that they expect another report on the organizations that fall under the sanctions.
In addition, lawmakers asked for information on companies that terminated cooperation on the project within 30 days after the law came into force. They are also interested in data on consultations with allies on compliance with obligations under the issued laying permits.
The authors of the message also want to know about the proposals to ease or waive the sanctions against the gas pipeline, which came to the White House.
Earlier, White House press secretary Jen Psaki commented on the possibility of introducing further sanctions over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to her, the United States continues to monitor actions to complete its construction or certify the pipeline. Psaki stressed that if such actions take place, then the United States will decide on the imposition of sanctions.
Currently, the construction of Nord Stream 2 has not been completed; a section of the gas pipeline is being laid in the territorial waters of Denmark. Work in the waters of the kingdom is scheduled to be completed in April 2021. On the whole, Gazprom expects that the gas pipeline will be completed by the end of this year.
