USA and Russia already discuss the controversial Nord Stream 2 on their own

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which transfers Russia gas to Germany, He was a victim of sabotage At the beginning of the Ukraine War. This attack plunged Europe in a generalized fear about the safety of gas supply. Now, that gas pipeline is in the center of all eyes, because there is a plan to reactivate it.

Reopening. A close ally of Vladimir Putin, Matthias Warnig, is behind the efforts To reopen the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. This project, which extends through the Baltic Sea, was completed in 2021, but, between the war and the act of sabotage that damaged one of the two lines, It never used.

Warnig was until 2023 the director of the Gas pipeline parent company, Nord Stream 2 AG, and has direct experience with the infrastructure, which is owned by the Russian state company Gazprom. In addition, the gas pipeline was built with financing of five major European energy: Shell, Uniper, OMV, Engie and Wintershall.

The paradox. This pipeline that never operated, It was the result of tensions During these current war and at the time it was considered a solution for the energy problems of Europe. Now, the former spy and friend of Putin has considered this strategy to gain influence on the supply of energy in Europe. In addition, he wants to involve US investors who would facilitate access to the administration of President Donald Trump.

An opportunity for the US. After The encounter between Trump and Zelenskynow the American president has announced The suspension of all military aid to Ukraine. In this context, the reactivation of the gas pipeline seems to have a rather strategic implication than a mere altruistic act of energy supply to Europe. In fact, According to the Financial Times analysissome members of the Trump administration see the reactivation a way to bring Russia closer to the United States, who could obtain access to a significant part of Gazprom’s energy businesses and play an important role in the European gas market.

An energy bond for Europe. From the beginning, the Nord Stream 2 was involved in controversy, since the European dependence on Russian gas increased, something that the European Union tried to reduce after the invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, Germany suspended his certification In February 2022 as part of the sanctions against Moscow, and then the partial destruction of the gas pipeline reinforced its inactivity.

Now, all this framework to reopen him again positions Russia in a situation of domination, which Look to corner Europe. In a context where gas reserves They have dropped to 35-40% And future winters threaten to be complicated, positions countries in a critical position.

In addition, the fact that the United States joins this reactivation, would imply that Washington would have an unprecedented influence on the supply of energy to Europe through Russian gas. Several European leaders already observe with concern movements, given the risk of being trapped between the interests of Russia and those of the United States.

Forecasts. This project raises great questions about the geopolitical future of Europe and its relations with the great world powers. While European leaders face the difficult decision, taking into account the latest news about THE REARMANCE TO SUPPORT Ukraine. On the other side, Trump and Putin reconfiguring the board and enclosing Europe, which will have to face increasingly raw winters. In this context, Europe can opt for an energy readjustment betting on clean energy and not yield to the pressures, but we will have to see how the situation develops.

Image | Samuel Bailey

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