Chancellor GermanOlaf Scholz, announces the termination of the gas pipeline project Russia after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the region Ukraine controlled by the separatists, Donetsk and Luhansk.
Scholz said he had ordered a halt to the authorities’ review of Nord Stream 2, a pipeline project that could transport natural gas from Russia to Germany.
“It sounds technical, but this is the necessary administrative step so that there is no pipeline certification. Without this certification, Nord Stream 2 cannot start operating,” Scholz was quoted as saying. AFPTuesday (22/2).
Scholz stressed that the decision to stop the project was only one concrete step to respond to Russia’s actions. According to Scholz, other sanctions will be imposed if Moscow goes further.
He also believes the European Union will agree to a series of sanctions targeting Russia in the near future.
“I am sure we will succeed,” said Scholz, when asked if the European Union would agree to an embargo on Russia.
The statement came after the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, demanded the termination of the Russian gas pipeline project. If operational, gas deliveries will be made via the Baltic Sea.
Zelensky called for an end to this after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by the separatists, Donetsk and Luhansk.
So far, the Nord Stream 2 project has been a major stumbling block for the West as it tries to stop Russia’s attempts to invade Ukraine.
The project has also long been a source of tension between Germany and the US. Washington thinks the Nord Stream 2 project will give Moscow an opportunity to influence Berlin’s energy dependence.
Last January, US President Joe Biden warned he would find a way to end the project if Russia attacked Ukraine.
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Map of Luhansk and Donetsk. (CNNIndonesia/Astari Kusumawardhani)- – |
(isa/has)
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