It is argued that the State Department was in favor of restrictions, and the president was against.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, his first deputy Wendy Sherman and deputy for political affairs Victoria Nuland recommended the imposition of sanctions against the construction of the pipeline to completely block it.
They proposed not to make exceptions for Nord Stream 2 AG and the head of the operator. The White House believed that sanctions against the operator would seriously worsen relations with Germany and that they should not be threatened.
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