Russia criticizes U.S. pipeline sanctions on December 22 at 7:12
Russia's foreign ministry has criticized the US's decision to impose sanctions on the construction of pipelines that send Russian natural gas to Germany and elsewhere, as it slows the development of the European economy. Russia wants to wedge the relationship between the United States and Europe, where the pace of disruption is noticeable, by highlighting its impact on Europe.
President Trump enacted on December 20 a defense authority law that includes sanctions on the construction of two undersea pipelines, Nordstream 2 sending Russian natural gas to Germany and Turkey Stream sending to Turkey.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the Russian government on Tuesday as saying, "We are trying to deprive Europe of energy supply from Russia. It will slow down the development of the European economy rather than hinder Russian exports."
He added, "The United States does not want to be a partner of the NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization for its geopolitical ambitions."
At NATO, the United States and other countries are at odds over the burden of defense spending, and the turmoil has become remarkable, as member nation Turkey has advanced military ties with Russia.
Under these circumstances, Russia aims to wedge the relationship between the two countries by stressing that the unilateral actions of the United States also affect the European economy.