The United States is Ukraine’s main strategic partner and one of our largest lobbyists in the international arena. Especially in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Until recently, Washington opposed the construction of a Russian gas pipeline. “Nord Stream 2“. But last week the State Department said that will not impose sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 operator and its leader, because it is “in the national interest” of the United States. This decision actually frees the Russians’ hands and the first branch of the pipeline may start working this summer.
What is the danger of a new American maneuver and what Ukraine should expect next – read the material OBOZREVATEL.
Is the US pursuing its own interests?
The statement by the Americans about not introducing sanctions against the operator of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 and its leader disappointed not only Ukraine, but also the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic states in general, experts say. It is they, like Ukraine, who will incur billions of dollars in losses when Russia starts selling gas to the Europeans through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
But can the new maneuver on the part of the United States testify to the two-fold policy of official Washington towards Ukraine? Indeed, on the one hand, they declare our all-round support both in terms of anti-corruption and in the context of confrontation with Russia. In addition, the Americans are providing assistance to the Ukrainian army, lobbying for support and continuation of anti-Russian sanctions. Washington also did not support the construction of Nord Stream 2, but has now decided not to impose sanctions on the operator. At the same time, they promised to resist the completion of the project.
Experts argue that the US attitude towards Ukraine has really not changed, and with the arrival of the new Joe Biden administration, it has even improved. According to them, in Washington they really sympathize with Ukraine and are trying to support its positions, but this cannot last forever, and even unilaterally.
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The states were ready to help and they are still ready to help Ukraine if it follows Western standards, – he assured OBOZREVATEL former advisor to the chairman of the board of NAK “Naftogaz of Ukraine” Vadim Glamazdin… But any sanctions and assistance from the West have never been and will not be a unilateral process. The United States, like any other country, pursues its own interests.
On the one hand, democracy and proper development in Europe are important for Americans, especially in countries such as Ukraine and those who border on Russia. But if Ukraine is not interested in this, the United States can begin to consider other state interests.
“They always had one requirement: Ukraine must follow Western standards. This is the fight against corruption, the management of state-owned companies and state property. We adhered to these rules for a long time, and then stopped. when you were promised, and then they left you – who will continue to support you further? “ – the expert was surprised.
Not only Europe will lose, but also the States
Oleksandr Motsyk, former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, agrees with this thesis. According to him, America has always been and remains our partner. There they sincerely support Ukraine politically and militarily, but at the same time they demand from our leadership actions that would be useful both for the state and for the people as a whole.
“It’s ridiculous to listen to the statements that America is putting something under control in Ukraine. All the reforms that are expected of us are primarily in our interests. Regarding Washington’s statements on Nord Stream-2, I think it’s about tactics, not The strategy remains the same, the Americans were against its commissioning because this project is anti-Ukrainian, anti-Polish and anti-European in general. It is not only the whole of Europe that is losing, but the United States too, since it will allow Putin to strengthen himself in the European arena. Perhaps the Americans hope for the victory of the Soyuz-90 / Greens Party in Germany. It is against Nord Stream-2 and can stop its construction, “the diplomat suggested.
–Is the US maneuvering and hoping for the Germans?
US can really maneuver, says energy expert Mihail Gončar… According to him, the Americans want to hold out until the German elections in the hope that the situation will change and other realities will come. Or they hope that the Germans will sign a moratorium on the construction of Nord Stream 2 in exchange for lifting sanctions on their part. But only Russia will benefit from this, since it is she who is building the gas pipeline, not Germany.
And in general, according to Gonchar, even despite the existing sanctions, the Russians continue to build Nord Stream 2. After all, this is a purely Russian project, the showdown between Germany and the United States does not affect its construction. At the same time, the expert did not rule out that joint Russian-German efforts to lobby for the project in the corridors of power in Washington resulted in the failure to introduce additional sanctions. This option opened the way for Russia and Gazprom to complete construction.
“Russians will try to wipe their nose to the Americans before July 4 (USA Independence Day – ed.), Completing at least one thread. Two will not pull, “he said.
The doors are still open
In general, the point regarding the lifting of American sanctions on companies that are building the project has not been set – they explained OBOZREVATEL authoritative experts. State Department statements about such a possibility can still be regarded as geopolitical bargaining between Americans and Germans, Americans and Russians. Or the United States really decided to drag out time until the elections to the German Bundestag in the hope that the new German government will impose a moratorium on the construction itself. The elections are scheduled for September 26, 2021, and so far the Soyuz-90 / Green Party, which opposes Nord Stream 2, really has a chance of winning.
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“So far, we cannot say that the United States will not impose sanctions. Otherwise, the State Department would have already written about it in the report. Or it would not have noted anything at all. The doors are still open and the main indicator of this is Academician Chersky (crane-assembly pipe-laying vessel. – Ed.) At the time of the introduction of the first sanctions in 2019, it directly belonged to Gazprom. And if it fell under the sanctions, Gazprom could also become a sanctioned one. This is a direct indicator that the process has not been completed and the sanctions have not finally been abandoned, “Vadim Glamazdin said. …
Even if the Americans began bargaining with other participants in the construction of Nord Stream 2, the worst thing here is that the process is now taking place without the participation of Ukraine, Glamazdin said. If the Ukrainian authorities do not oppose this, there are chances for the completion of the gas pipeline.
“It is necessary to create a broad coalition of European countries, which, like Ukraine, understand the risks of the gas pipeline. These are Poland, the Baltic countries, Eastern and Central Europe. They need to be consolidated, statements should be made and this should not happen sometime, but now. But so far we have not heard anything, “concluded Glamazdin.
Meanwhile, American President Joe Biden recently explained that imposing sanctions on the part of the United States is now counterproductive from the point of view of American-European relations. Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel has already welcomed such a decision by the US leader. Judging by these reactions, Germany and the United States are indeed determined to rebuild relations after their deterioration under Donald Trump’s presidency. What role Ukraine will play here will no longer depend on Washington, but on Kiev. It is time for Ukraine to seriously defend its own interests, only in the context of a state position.
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