Germany Suspends Nord Stream 2 Approval Process
Germany's energy regulator said it was suspending Nord Stream 2's approval process, alleging that the operating company must be compliant with German law.
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The logo of Nord Stream 2 is seen on a pipe at Chelyabinsk pipe rolling in Chelyabinsk, Russia, February 26, 2020 (Credit: Reuters)
The German energy regulator said Tuesday it was temporarily putting the approval process for the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline on hold, under the pretext that the company operating the pipeline must first become compliant with German law.
Germany's move constitutes the latest setback for the Russian energy project, as western powers have tried to impede it many times throughout the several years since its establishment.
The pipeline would double Russia's gas supplies to Germany, the EU's strongest economy, which Berlin says would help it transition from coal and nuclear energy.
The United States and other western powers oppose the pipeline because they claim it would increase Europe's reliance on Russia in terms of energy.
Russian gas supplies to Germany had seen an increase on Monday with no execution of Lukashenko's threats on the horizon, while the Belarusian president had threatened to cut gas supplies to the EU as winter is approaching.
During a government meeting in Minsk on Thursday, President Alexander Lukashenko advised the West to think carefully before threatening Belarus with new sanctions and closing its borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Saturday any move to cut gas supplies to Germany would seriously harm relations between Moscow and Minsk, with Kremlin reporting that Putin spoke with Lukashenko regarding the matter.
Russia had said more gas would flow into Europe if Moscow obtained the green light to operate Nord Stream 2, whose construction it had lately fully completed.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously informed Europe that Russia was ready to help the EU overcome its energy crisis while stressing that the European Union must take steps in this regard.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had said beforehand Europe was to blame for the current energy crisis after soaring gas prices spurred accusations that Moscow is withholding supplies to pressure the West.
