27 May 2020 11:04

Possible new U.S. sanctions against Nord Stream 2 have selfish ends - Russian senator

MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - The U.S. threats to impose additional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project aim to sell U.S. gas rather than help out Europe, Chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachyov wrote on Facebook.

"The United States does not want to help out partners, instead it seeks to do whatever it takes to sell its expensive gas," Kosachyov said.

"Washington explains its effort to 'smother' energy cooperation between Europe and Russia with countering the alleged dependence of Europeans on Moscow, but America is de facto countering Europe's independence," he said.

Kosachyov posted his comments after U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell reaffirmed the U.S. plans to impose additional restrictions on the Nord Stream 2 project.

The newspaper Handelsblatt said, citing outgoing U.S. ambassador Grenell, that Washington was considering the possible imposition of additional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project.

Grenell, acting National Intelligence Director who met with congressmen last week, said that all factions supported further sanctions.

He also said that the bill might pass quickly despite the ongoing election campaign in the United States.

Gazprom decided to finalize the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline after the U.S. imposed sanctions on the project operator, the Nord Stream 2 company. The contractor, Swiss-based Allseas, which was laying the pipeline, suspended the works due to the sanctions. The company's three pipe laying vessels - the Pioneering Spirit, the Solitaire and the Audacia - were doing the works.

Gazprom said it would engage its own pipe laying vessel, the Akademik Chersky modernized in Nakhodka, in the project. According to the Internet portal www.vesselfinder.com, the ship is currently anchored in the Mukran (Sassnitz) port on the Rugen Island. The Gascade station, which is meant to receive gas from both Nord Stream pipelines, is located nearby, in Lubmin.

The German media outlet Focus quoted Senator Ted Cruz (Republican) as saying that if Gazprom tasks the Akademik Chersky with finalizing construction of the gas pipeline the U.S. president could and should impose sanctions on Gazprom. Cruz said, in particular, that Gazprom executives could be barred from entering the U.S. and have financial assets frozen.