Republican Ted Cruz's bill did not receive the required number of votes.
On Thursday, January 13, the US Senate rejected a bill to impose new sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, proposed by Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
It is reported by Reuters.
At least 60 senators out of 100 were required to approve the bill “On protecting the energy security of Europe”.
Senator Ted Cruz said in a speech on the floor of parliament that his bill to sanction companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is the best way to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine.
He said Russia wants the pipeline to be completed so that it can use it as a stick against Europe and “wipe Ukraine off the map.”
According to him, the only reason why Russia did not take over all of Ukraine when it invaded Crimea in 2014 was because it wanted to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Ted Cruz emphasized that his bill would not harm transatlantic relations. because the European Parliament voted against the pipeline.
At the same time, representatives of the Democrats opposed. Senator Zhanna Shakhin said she shares Russia's concerns about the threat to Eastern Europe and opposes the pipeline. But, in her opinion, such a bill will not stop Nord Stream 2, but will only damage transatlantic relations.
Senator Chris Murphy backed his party colleague and added that Russia could easily circumvent sanctions through legal changes to companies operating on the pipeline.
The bill provided for the imposition of sanctions against organizations responsible for the design, construction and operation of the gas pipeline, as well as a number of their employees within 15 days after its adoption.
Recall that earlier the US State Department expressed concern about the imposition of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 at the level of the law, which is being pushed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, as it could blow up a united front of measures in response to Russia's likely aggression against Ukraine.
