US Republicans seek tougher sanctions against Nord Stream 2 builders / Article / LSM.lv

US Republicans are pushing for tougher sanctions on Nord Stream 2 buildersArtyom Konohov00:00 / 02:36

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William Born, a candidate for director of the Central Intelligence Agency elected by US President Joe Biden, has become a hostage in political battles between Republican and Democratic politicians.

Influential Senator Ted Cruz of Texas announced Friday night that he will exercise his right to suspend the further approval of Burns until the Baiden administration reports to Congress on the sanctions it has imposed on companies and vessels involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

The Senate Intelligence Committee has already unanimously supported Burns’ candidacy. He has previously served as US Ambassador to Russia, as well as in a number of other important positions. In more than 30 years, the Senate has five times supported the nomination of Burns in various positions, and even now there is little doubt that he will eventually obtain the consent of senators.

However, Cruz is using this tactic to put pressure on the Baiden administration to crack down on the construction of a gas pipeline between Russia and Germany in the Baltic Sea.

After a hiatus of about a year due to previous US sanctions against the project, Russia is now trying to complete the pipeline as a matter of urgency using its own rather than foreign vessels. It is assumed that construction work could be completed in September.

Baltais nams has not yet commented on Kruza’s step. However, Biden has previously criticized the Nord Stream 2 project, saying it will not benefit Europe. But unlike its predecessor, the new president wants to work more closely with Europe. That is why Mr Biden obviously does not want to start sanctioning the important project for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

As you know, Merkel and her allies continue to defend this pipeline. There are even arguments that in this way Germany could compensate Russia for the damage caused during the Second World War.

The US Department of State has so far imposed sanctions on only one ship involved in the construction of the pipeline. However, American lawmakers who oppose the project believe that at least 15 ships are involved in the construction work. The State Department is preparing to submit its next report to Congress on the matter in mid-May.

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