Borrell to not discuss Nord Stream 2 during Ukraine visit

The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell declined to address the subject of Nord Stream 2 during his visit to Ukraine. The head of European diplomacy told Polish newspaper PAP.

Borrell said they were now focusing all of their efforts on defusing tensions and preventing the situation from deteriorating. According to him, the decision on the gas pipeline is entirely in the hands of the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), which acts as state regulator in the Nord Stream 2 agreement, reports Lenta.

Previously, the head of one of Nord Stream 2‘s investment companies, CEO of German energy company Uniper Klaus-Dieter Maubach, said certification of the gas pipeline could be completed by mid-2022. He added that BNetzA’s verification of the deal is fully in line with plans.

On January 4, it was also learned that the US Senate was preparing a package of sanctions against Nord Stream 2. A representative of the Republican faction in the Senate said the vote would take place on January 14. He assured that the Senate would adopt the sanctions. bill and submit it to the House of Representatives.

Nonetheless, US President Joe Biden has already signed the 2022 US defense budget in December 2021. The law provides resources to contain Russia, but new sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline were dropped in the document.