The new German government’s “traffic light” coalition of the Green Party, Free Democrats (FDP), and Social Democratic Party (SPD) is divided on how to proceed with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline due to concerns about Russia. The underground pipeline built by Russian gas giant Gazprom runs from Russia to Germany, bypassing Ukraine.
In an interview with FAZ, published on Sunday, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck from the Greens threatened to shut down the contentious pipeline as part of sanctions against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. Habeck said, “From a geopolitical point of view, the pipeline is a mistake.” “All countries were against it except Germany and Austria,” he added.
Robert Habeck is right about #NordStream2 🎯 “From a geopolitical point of view, the pipeline is a mistake,” via @EURACTIV https://t.co/4A94U3WO6d
— Gas TSO of Ukraine (@GasTSOua) December 20, 2021
The United States (US), Ukraine, and Poland have consistently raised concerns over Nord Stream 2. While the US says it is worried about the impact of Europe’s increased dependence on Russia for gas, Ukraine and Poland fear Russia using energy as a geopolitical weapon and a loss of billions of dollars in transit fees.
Meanwhile, during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “Nord Stream 2 is a private-sector project that has been advanced to the point where a pipeline has been laid.” Scholz has vowed to promote Europe’s interests and urged Russia to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity but has thus far avoided taking a concrete stance on the issue.
The rift over the gas pipeline comes amid the possibility of another Russian invasion of Ukraine. In recent months, Russia has amassed tens of thousands of soldiers near the Ukrainian border. The European Union, the US, and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over Russia’s military build-up and threatened Moscow with punitive measures, including shutting down Nord Stream 2, to deter it from invading Ukraine. In this regard, the leaders asked Scholz to be prepared to impose sanctions on Kremlin’s ambitious gas pipeline.
However, Scholz deflected responsibility, saying it is up to German energy regulators to approve the pipeline. He said, “An authority in Germany is deciding this in a completely non-political way.” In fact, Germany’s energy regulator has temporarily suspended certification of the pipeline, citing non-compliance with the country’s laws.
HEAD OF GERMAN NETWORK AGENCY - NO DECISION ON NORD STREAM 2 IN FIRST HALF OF 2022 - REUTERS
— Dasha Afanasieva (@dasha_reuters) December 16, 2021
On the contrary, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock from the Greens said the pipeline could not be approved at present as it does not meet Europe’s energy law requirements. She added that in case of increased Russian aggression against Ukraine, the pipeline could not be connected to the grid. The Green Party firmly believes that the pipeline should be suspended if Russia attacks Ukraine. Furthermore, Baerbock said the former German government led by Angela Merkel had agreed with the US to suspend the pipeline in case of territorial invasion.
Echoing similar sentiments, Vice-Chancellor Habeck said, “Any new military action cannot remain without severe consequences”, adding the option to block the pipeline remains if there’s a new violation of territorial integrity.
It is yet to be seen how the parties will resolve internal differences and present a united stance on Nord Stream and possible sanctions against Russia.