US Diplomat Urging European Union to Block Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

© Sputnik / Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankLaunch of second section of Nord Stream gas pipeline
Launch of second section of Nord Stream gas pipeline - Sputnik International
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Former Special Envoy of the US State Secretary for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar has become the latest US diplomat to campaign against the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline – a project, which enjoys Germany's backing and would enhance European energy security.

"If you want to kill the LNG strategy go ahead with Nord Stream," EurActiv quoted the former US ambassador to Azerbaijan as saying. Morningstar was referring to the EU's stated commitment to boost imports of liquefied natural gas as part of its energy security and diversification strategy.

The Nord Stream project offers Russia direct access to Germany's energy markets via the Baltic Sea, bypassing unreliable transit routes. Despite claims to the contrary, it helps to improve European energy security, since it would help to mitigate possible gas supply disruptions that could be caused by the Ukrainian civil war.

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Gazprom and its European partners inked the Nord Stream 2 deal last September. The two pipelines, which are expected to become operational by the end of 2019, are meant to boost Russia's gas exports to Europe by additional 55 billion cubic meters a year.

Last week, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Robin Dunnigan also commented on the Nord Stream 2 project.

"I think every country has to also look at Nord Stream 2 in the context of… does it meet the (EU's) stated goals of diversification? And if it doesn't, then I think countries would need to take a second look," he observed.

© Photo : Samuel BaileyMap of Nord Stream, which runs from Russia's Vyborg through the Baltic Sea to Greifswald, northeastern Germany.
Map of Nord Stream, which runs from Russia's Vyborg through the Baltic Sea to Greifswald, northeastern Germany. - Sputnik International
Map of Nord Stream, which runs from Russia's Vyborg through the Baltic Sea to Greifswald, northeastern Germany.

Earlier this month, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller reaffirmed that the project would be completed in three years.

In late January, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told the Polish government that Berlin would give the Nord Stream 2 project the green light. Poland and several other Eastern European nations have opposed the idea.

© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankConstruction of Nord Stream pipeline
Construction of Nord Stream pipeline - Sputnik International
Construction of Nord Stream pipeline
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