Discussion of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in US hurts joint energy efforts - Novak
MOSCOW. June 17 (Interfax) - Sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline harm joint Russian-U.S. efforts aimed at normalizing the energy market, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said during an online conference of the 25th World Energy Congress titled "Covid-19: accelerating the transition to the energy of the future for all."
"I would like to speak about Nord Stream 2, about other issues that have nevertheless remained. In my opinion, they certainly do not have a positive impact on the situation. Unfortunately, protectionist measures are persisting even during the crisis. And we see it in those statements, in those bills that are being drafted, including in the U.S. Senate. And this, of course, is not play entirely positively for us to work together to restore the world economy, develop market instruments, sustainable energy and provide energy to the world's population as a whole," Novak said.
Earlier in June, Republican Senator Ted Cruz announced that he had submitted to the U.S. Senate a bill providing for additional sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. According to a statement posted on Cruz's website, the sanctions are aimed at "preventing the completion of Nord Stream 2" and will apply to anyone "involved in any way in the laying of the pipeline".