Rival forces debate sanctions as Nord Stream tensions rise
According to information from Politico, there is an ongoing discussion in the White House regarding lifting sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and Russia's energy industry. These reports are denied by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called them "unequivocally false."
Politico's information suggests that Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, has formed a "friendship" with Vladimir Putin. He is also said to have instructed his team to draw up a list of sanctioned Russian energy entities, lobbying for the lifting of restrictions. Among the discussed restrictions are those imposed during Donald Trump's first term on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
- There is an internal White House debate between the energy dominance people — Burgum, who wants markets for U.S. LNG — and Witkoff, who wants to be closer to Russia - said one source to the portal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to the reports. He called them "unequivocally false." He added that neither he nor Witkoff had engaged in any discussions about lifting sanctions on Russia as part of an agreement with Ukraine, as reported by investing.com.
German vice-chancellor fears Trump's and Putin's people
The Nord Stream pipelines connect Russia and Germany, which before the war in Ukraine had a plan to become a European hub for cheap Russian gas, while simultaneously providing this resource at a favourable price to its energy-intensive economy. The launch of the second line did not take place because the certification process was halted, and then NS2 was damaged.
Although part of the German political scene entertains the possibility of resuming gas purchases from Russia once it makes peace with Ukraine, there are equally strong voices that there is no going back to business with Vladimir Putin's regime, as if the invasion of a neighbouring country had not occurred.
Germany's Vice-Chancellor, Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck, admitted during the Conference of the Ministry of Industry regarding Europe's energy security, that he fears possible negotiations concerning Nord Stream pipelines between "Trump's and Putin's people."
My fear is (...), that there could be negotiations between Trump's and Putin's people regarding Nord Stream. What will Europeans do if it turns out we are presented with a fait accompli? What will happen then? It seems to be a pressing question if we're talking about energy security, that we, Europeans, should have this infrastructure under control - he said.
- In Germany, we've truly learned from our own mistakes that energy can be used as a weapon. Won't Trump one day blackmail us regarding how LNG is transported and at what prices? I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe the same will be done by sheikhs from Saudi Arabia - he added.
Not only Politico reports
In March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about Russia discussing with the United States the restoration of natural gas supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream pipelines.
- There is talk about the Nord Streams. It will probably be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and force it not to refuse Russian gas - he said on Russian state television Channel One.
