Nord Stream 2 is a way of survival for Berlin, and the US should not hope that Germany will abandon it. This is what Jeremy Stern, the author of an article in the American publication Foreign Policy, called the pipeline.
“It seems that few people in Washington thought that the German government sees Nord Stream 2 as a way of survival and intends to complete it at all costs, and any potential” deal “is likely to take place with the participation of the United States,” he wrote.
As Stern pointed out, the Republicans are confident that the US sanctions against Germany will help to stop the construction of the gas pipeline, and the Democrats – that the project can be closed by reaching a compromise with the German side. “But no amount of US sanctions will convince Merkel to take the risk and let Putin turn off the taps in an election year. No tariff concessions or commitments by NATO will induce it to undermine the benefits and sustainability of the German economy, ”he wrote.
At the same time, Stern noted that Germany could change its decision regarding gas supplies from Russia if it abandoned the ban on nuclear fuel or would raise prices for energy in the industrial sector, reducing demand for it. “But this did not happen and will not happen, because all these actions are political suicide,” he added.
Earlier, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said that if the construction of Nord Stream 2 is stopped, Germany may face claims for damages in international arbitration courts.
