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Construction site entrance in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Photo: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP
Several congressmen of the Republican Party have warned the administration of US President Joe Biden against a "deal through the back door" with Germany in the conflict over the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2.
In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken published on Monday, the Republicans complained that no equally strong measures were taken following clear statements by the new leadership in Washington against the pipeline.
“We fear that this discrepancy can only be explained by the desire to leave room for a deal through the back door with Germany.
Any deal that does not stop the completion of Nord Stream 2 would be misguided. "
The Republicans called on Blinken to put other companies involved in the project on the sanctions list.
So far, the USA has only imposed sanctions on the Russian company KVT-RUS, which operates the laying ship "Fortuna", because of Nord Stream 2 - the government of the Republican US President Donald Trump announced these punitive measures shortly before the end of her term in January.
Compromise undermines US security interests
The company and ship were also specifically mentioned in a new administration's report recently submitted to Congress.
Contrary to expectations, other companies were not punished or threatened with punitive measures, which the Republicans criticize.
The Republicans apparently suspect that the Biden government could forego further threats of sanctions if Germany made commitments - for example, promised investments in European energy infrastructure.
Such an agreement would not only undermine the security interests of the US and Europe, but also represent an affront to the US Congress, says the letter to Blinken.
Support efforts to revive US-Germany relations.
Nord Stream 2 is not just about a "nuisance" in relations with Berlin, but about a project through which Russia wants to increase its influence.
For some years now, the USA has been promoting US liquefied petroleum gas obtained through fracking as an alternative for Russian pipeline deliveries.
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beb / dpa
