The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions against several Russian-linked entities and individuals involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2, a massive undersea gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany.
The State Department has reimposed fines on entities and individuals involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2, including project operator Nord Stream 2 AG and a Russia-based insurance company that worked with companies involved in the pipeline construction. It was announced that.
Other targets of sanctions include a Russian-owned salvage service, a Russia-based shipping and logistics company, and more than a dozen ship owners who have previously been sanctioned or are being sanctioned for the first time. It was.
State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters Wednesday that the United States continues to oppose Nord Stream 2 and any efforts to revive it.
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Officials also noted Russia's continued efforts to weaponize its energy resources, including curtailing piped gas supplies to Europe shortly after the start of the 2022 war in Ukraine.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that Russia never weaponizes its energy resources and energy positions for political gain,” Patel said of the new sanctions.
News of the new sanctions designation comes after both the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, which connect Russia and Europe, suffered a series of explosions in late September 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Kremlin. (Sergei Kalpkin/TASS/Sipa USA/File)
So far, no one has taken responsibility for the explosion, which the United States and other Western leaders have described as a potential “sabotage.”
Russia has dismissed suggestions to blow up its pipeline, with Russian President Vladimir Putin calling such a move “stupid.”
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The receiving station for the Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline can be seen near Lubmin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images/File)
Although neither pipeline was in operation at the time, both lines were filled with gas under pressure.
Prior to Russia's war in Ukraine, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline supplied around 35% of the European Union's total Russian gas imports until the Russian government suspended supplies indefinitely, citing “maintenance” needs. Ta. Nord Stream 2 was expected to double that capacity.
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Since Russia's war in Ukraine began, the EU has bought more liquefied natural gas from the United States and other supplier countries, committed more resources to nuclear power generation, and built more regasification terminals. Russia has been working hard to offset its dependence on Russia's energy supplies. , among others.
