Member of the House of Representatives of the United States, Democrat Marcy Kaptur introduced to Congress a resolution supporting the Three Seas Initiative. Kaptur explained the need to help unite, among other things, by saying that Russia is allegedly trying to “undermine the democratic institutions” of Europe using energy tools.
The document says that support for the Three Seas Initiative should be provided in the energy sector. In particular, we are talking about work "to expand energy independence and infrastructural interconnectedness that contributes to strengthening the national security of the United States and Europe."
Meanwhile, in the text of the resolution, Kaptur notes that due to the lack of infrastructure, the countries included in the association are “too dependent” on Russian energy resources, while Russia is allegedly trying to undermine freedom and democracy in Europe, including using “hybrid methods” including the use of energy as a means of coercion. "
As an example, a member of the Congress cites the Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream projects, which, according to her, are “political” and are aimed at “undermining Europe’s energy security”.
- Summit “Three Seas Initiatives”
- Reuters
- © Carlos Barria
It is worth noting that Russia has repeatedly denied the use of energy as a political tool, and also emphasized that gas pipelines are exclusively commercial projects.
“I emphasize again: these projects are implemented jointly with European companies and are exclusively commercial in nature. There is no political background, ”said Russian President Vladimir Putin in early October.
In turn, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on the United States to stop politicizing Nord Stream 2. The ministry emphasized that the launch of the gas pipeline will contribute to strengthening the energy security of Europe.
“Stop trying to politicize a purely commercial project. We remind you that the main objective of the joint Nord Stream 2 partnership with European partners is to diversify gas supply routes, eliminate transit risks and thereby strengthen Europe’s energy security, ”the Russian Foreign Ministry replied to the US State Department’s Twitter message stating that the goal “Nord Stream 2” - “drive a stake in the heart of Europe’s security and stability.”
Unfair struggle for the market
Recall, the “Three Seas Initiative”, which is also called “Trimorye,” is aimed at developing the infrastructure, including energy, of the countries participating in the association. It includes 12 states - Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic and Estonia. These countries have access to the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas. The first summit of representatives of these states took place in 2016.
Political analyst Alexander Asafov, in an interview with RT, said that the basis of the ideology of "Trimorye" is anti-Russian rhetoric.
“The ideology of this structure is the creation of a coalition that would balance Russia in Europe, although initially the structure was created with the goal of business partnership. Participants annually approve various aspects of cooperation. Of course, the Russian aspect is also being actively addressed, as part of the members are US loyalists practicing anti-Russian rhetoric, ”the expert explained.
In the resolution, Kaptur calls on the Three Seas Initiative countries to start financing methods for diversifying energy sources, and also indicates that the United States can provide funding for association projects if it is in Washington’s interests.
“(US House of Representatives. - RT ) confirms the powers vested in the president in accordance with the law“ On the best use of investments leading to development ”(section F of public law 115-254), allowing him to direct public funds to finance the“ Three Seas Initiatives "And its projects when it meets the economic and foreign policy interests of the United States," the resolution says.
In addition, Kaptur believes that Congress should condemn Russia's attempts to “use energy as a weapon” to “undermine democracy in Europe.”
According to RT, a leading analyst at the National Energy Security Fund Igor Yushkov, Washington is interested in developing the Three Seas Initiative, as it sees opportunities to promote its liquefied natural gas (LNG) with it.
“The American interest is understandable: you accuse Russia of using energy weapons, you say that you need to abandon Russian gas. And when Europeans ask who will supply gas - because Russia is the largest supplier of gas to the European market - the Americans say that they will send their LNG. Yes, it will be more expensive, but, as the US Secretary of Energy recently stated, American gas is more expensive because it has “freedom molecules,” Yushkov said.
The United States has repeatedly opposed Russian gas supplies to Europe. So, in early October, US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry called the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline “a crushing blow to Europe’s security.”
Meanwhile, Moscow is convinced that the American position is connected with the US desire to realize its more expensive LNG in Europe. This was announced on air of the SophieCo program on RT by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov.
“This initiative will be a major contribution to the energy security of Europe, and will also seriously compete with American producers and suppliers of this type of fuel. Instead of fair competition, they prefer to behave as in the days of the Wild West. They just take out a revolver from the holster with the words: “No! You Europeans will purchase our natural gas, ”said Peskov.
Germany also expresses support for the Russian gas pipeline project. Thus, the head of the ruling Christian Democratic Union in Germany, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, opposed the suspension of the construction of Nord Stream 2. In addition, on September 30, Denmark issued a permit to lay a pipeline in its waters.
Supporting the Trimorye initiative, the United States intends to oppose the upcoming launch of Nord Stream 2, political analyst Alexander Asafov said.
“This is a reaction to the success of the project, to the fact that Denmark agreed on the passage of the gas pipeline through its waters. This, of course, is an attempt to influence European countries in an anti-Russian context, ”he concluded.
- Pipe-laying vessel
- © nord-stream2.com
EU and not only
Meanwhile, Kaptur also calls on the countries of the Three Seas Initiative to “expand the concept of strengthening regional infrastructure compatibility” to include non-EU states in the region. In particular, the resolution names Ukraine, Moldova, and also the countries of the Western Balkans.
Commenting on the document, Alexander Asafov noted that Washington intends to get the European market for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
“The US is trying to secure a future market for US LNG. Of course, Ukraine, given the context of the ideology of the current Ukrainian government, will gladly support this, as it supports any anti-Russian and pro-Western initiatives. However, these are methods of unfair competition, ”he said.
The expert also added that in Moldova and the Western Balkans, the US plans will support only “in words”.
“These countries have the ability to calculate economic benefits. In words, they may support (initiative. - RT ), but, given the low competitiveness of American LNG, this is likely to remain only in diplomatic assurances, ”the political scientist emphasized.
At the same time, it is worth noting that earlier the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Jacek Chaputovych, noted that now it is “impossible” to accept Ukraine into the “Trimorye”.
“I discussed the idea of cooperation with Ukraine. President Zelensky asked if it was possible for Ukraine to join the Three Seas Initiative. This is not possible at this stage, because membership is limited to EU countries, ”Jacek said, noting that the situation with the Western Balkans is similar.