Secret Nord Stream talks: Trump and Putin's gas gamble

The government in Berlin once viewed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline—a German-Russian project worth billions of euros—as a guarantee of inexpensive energy. "Its economic significance was so great that Berlin even endured the ire of the USA. The former US ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, was furious and threatened Germany and the firms involved with severe sanctions," recalled "Bild" on Monday.

Nord Stream 2 was halted solely due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the pipeline has not yet been launched. One of the two lines was even damaged as a result of a sabotage act in September 2022. An internal report, however, concluded that repairs are possible—it would take about a few months.

Grenell is now expected to be Trump's man on a mission that could have far-reaching consequences for Germany, "Bild" states, recalling that after winning the presidential election in November, Donald Trump announced that "Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World."

According to "Bild," the "special envoy has unofficially traveled to Switzerland several times to discuss the agreement. Steinhausen in the canton of Zug is the headquarters of the company servicing the Baltic Sea Nord Stream 2 pipeline. And behind it stands Putin's gas giant, Gazprom."

What will the gas deal between Trump and Putin look like? The basic idea is for the two powers to make a supply agreement, under which the USA would act as a mediator in directing Russian gas through the Nord Stream 2 pipelines to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. "In this way, according to calculations, Americans could regulate the German gas tap, and at the same time profit from it," writes "Bild."

The US government itself would not be involved. American financial investors want to engage in the gas transaction. According to documents from the relevant Swiss bankruptcy court, several American bidders have already expressed interest. The companies operating Nord Stream 1 and 2 are bankrupt because no gas is flowing through the pipelines. One of the interested parties is American entrepreneur Stephen Lynch, "Bild" reports.

The businessman, who has good contacts in Moscow and Washington, announced a few weeks ago that he wants to get involved in Nord Stream 2. He highlighted the advantages of the USA controlling the pipeline to Germany—it reads.

In fact, the appropriate cantonal court in Zug recently gave the involved parties more time. "At the beginning of January, judges granted the insolvent company Nord Stream 2 AG a postponement until May 9 to prevent the forced sale of the pipes. The court provided the following reasons: the complex geopolitical situation, the inauguration of Donald Trump, and the interests of financial investors," notes the portal.

"Bild" writes that "the German government has not yet been involved in the confidential talks. Government circles claim they have no knowledge of Grenell's meetings in Switzerland. Grenell denies any involvement."

It remains to be seen whether the deal will come to fruition. On one hand, Nord Stream 2 is still awaiting final approval from German authorities, and on the other hand, there is a scandal in the Oval Office. On Friday, Trump and his Vice President J.D. Vance clashed in public with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "In this way, a quick ceasefire became less likely—and the prospects for the gas deal worsened," writes "Bild."

According to the British newspaper "Financial Times," Matthias Warnig, a former Stasi officer in the former GDR and a friend of Putin who headed Nord Stream 2 AG until 2023, is the mastermind behind efforts to resume the pipeline’s operation. Important representatives of the US authorities are aware of this initiative and see it as part of rebuilding relations with Moscow.