Pipeline wars: US targets Russian pipeline as Mediterranean tensions grow
Germany lashed out at new US sanctions on a Russian pipeline called Nord Stream 2 which is being built from Russia to Germany. US President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which triggers sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
“Germany can’t have more than 50 thousand GREAT U.S. soldiers on their soil and take Russian gas at the same time. This is another example of how our ALLIES were fooling us for years. This time is OVER. With me. They need to choose which side they belong to!! #NordStream2,” US President Donald Trump tweeted.
According to reports the pipeline that runs 1,200 km from Ust Luga near Saint Petersburg will have a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Washington’s attack on the pipeline project is part of a larger group of disputes about gas that link the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and involve Russia, Turkey and other countries.
Russia’s Gazprom is excited about the almost-complete Nord Stream 2, that builds on success from the first Nord Stream pipeline which travels a similar route. Russia says that this will ensure reliable gas exports to Europe as Europe’s domestic gas production declines. It’s not all smooth sailing. Russia’s crude exports have fallen to 2.8 million tonnes for April-June due to contaminated oil infrastructure. That affects the Druzhba pipeline from Belarus, according to Reuters. Russia has another pipeline company at the same area called Transneft.
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