A major victory over the United States!

The welding of the last section of the pipeline was completed, and the Russian Foreign Minister announced that the "Beixi-2" was nearly completed

　　[Global Times Comprehensive Report] "Washington's years of economic sanctions and political efforts have been in vain, and the construction of the'Beixi-2' natural gas pipeline is now in the final stage of completion." Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said on the 6th.

The "Beixi-2" natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany completed the welding of the last section of the pipeline on the 6th, and the operation is just around the corner.

In the past few years, this 1,230-kilometer-long pipeline project that bypasses Ukraine has triggered considerable geopolitical disputes and has been delayed for about a year and a half due to US sanctions.

The United States has long opposed the project, calling it a geostrategic project of Russia, while Russia insists that it is a commercial project and accuses the United States of using boycotts to pursue its own economic interests.

The game between them is very involved, and at the same time highlights the complex relationship of love and hatred between Europe and Russia.

However, despite the Russian cheering of the victory, uncertainty about the "Beixi-2" project still exists.

The last section of the pipeline is in place

　　According to today’s Russian television (RT) report, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov announced at a meeting in St. Petersburg on the 6th that the final preparations for the "Beixi-2" underwater pipeline are underway, which will transfer Siberian natural gas. Tian connects with Western European consumers.

"It will be completed in a few days and will begin operations." Lavrov said, "Everyone knows that the United States has realized that (the pipeline will be built), despite this, the'North Stream-2' is still facing a full frontal attack. ."

　　Lavrov said that Germany and other European countries are participating in this construction, and said that Europe needs this pipeline, "and the Americans said:'No, you don't understand what the energy security of your continent should be. We are separated by the ocean. Everything is becoming clearer and clearer.” Lavrov said that the United States wants to launch its own LNG, although it is harmful to the environment and the cost is much higher.

　　On the same day, the Russian "Beixi-2" joint-stock company issued a statement stating that the last section of the pipeline of the second branch of "Beixi-2" was welded.

The statement stated that pipeline No. 200858 will be laid on the seabed of German waters in the Baltic Sea and connected with pipelines from Danish waters.

The project will then be commissioned so that it can be put into operation before the end of the year.

　　Lavrov's words are meaningful.

Just over two weeks ago, US President Biden announced new sanctions against companies involved in the "North Creek-2" project.

The White House stated in a letter to Congress that certain Russia’s energy pipeline projects will expand Russia’s influence in the region and weaken “Ukraine and NATO east wing countries and EU countries”, thereby threatening “U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economy.” ".

　　"This is a victory for Russia and Germany." The Russian "Izvestia" stated on the 7th that Vladimir Jabarov, the first vice chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament), believes that Washington cannot change anything. , The United States can no longer make any new political demands.

This pipeline will improve Russia-Germany economic relations.

This shows that Europe needs to cooperate with Russia so that all parties can benefit from such cooperation.

　　According to RT reports, Russian State Duma Congressman Balibek said that although some Western countries used various tricks to prevent the construction of this pipeline, the "Beixi-2" was still successful.

Foreign Minister Lavrov’s words send a message to the entire Western world that it is possible to negotiate with Russia, but "struggling" with Russia is useless and will only backfire.

Still uncertain

　　Last month, a "Global Times" reporter made a special trip to Mukland Port, Germany for an interview. The mayor of the city where the port is located received a letter from three U.S. senators more than a year ago, threatening him Impose sanctions.

The reporter saw that the cranes and trucks on site were very busy, and the 12-meter-long gas pipelines weighing 24 tons were successively loaded onto ships and sent to the offshore construction site.

At that time, the United States and Germany had reached an agreement. The United States gave up its long-standing opposition in exchange for Germany's commitment to support sanctions against Russia if Russia showed an "aggression" of Ukraine.

It is under this situation that the "Beixi-2" project has accelerated its rush.

　　Regarding the "Beixi-2" will be put into operation, "Izvestia" quoted German Bundestag Geert as saying that this is good news and the project is necessary for Germany.

Some analysts mentioned that as Merkel's term as prime minister is coming to an end, she hopes that "Beixi-2" can become one of the highlights of her ruling legacy.

　　However, according to a report by German TV Station on the 6th, the "Beixi-2" project violated relevant European regulations: natural gas producers must not be operators of natural gas pipelines at the same time.

At present, the relevant company has filed a lawsuit in a German court, and it is unknown whether the project can become an "exception".

However, it is foreseeable that the general election in the second half of this month will have an important impact on the future of the project.

If Merkel's party loses the election, then under the opposition of some people in Germany and the European Parliament, "Beixi-2" will most likely be impacted.

　　For Ukraine, "Beixi-2" has always been bad news.

The BBC stated that Ukraine charges billions of dollars in natural gas transit fees every year, but the contract expires after three years.

According to Ukraine’s "Kiev Post" reported on the 6th, Uzbek Foreign Minister Kuleba held talks with the visiting US Congress delegation. The two sides discussed the threat of the "Beixi-2" project, and to prevent Russia from using energy as a geopolitical weapon. Action required.

Uzbekistan President Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the US delegation and emphasized that "the sanctions against'Beixi-2' must be maintained."

　　"Why is'Beixi-2" important to Russia?" Russian "Komsomolskaya Pravda" stated on the 7th that "Beixi-2" transports natural gas to Germany through the shortest route, and the freight is cheaper, and there is no need to pay transit fees to Ukraine. .

There are no political risks associated with this route, which can make the Russia-Ukraine "gas war" a thing of the past.

In recent years, due to the deterioration of relations between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have used natural gas as a weapon and disputed over prices and transit fees.

　　Europe has a hard time this winter

　　The "Beixi-2" natural gas pipeline consists of two branch lines, with an annual gas transmission capacity of approximately 55 billion cubic meters after completion.

The operating company said the pipeline can supply 26 million households.

Some analysts estimate that operating profit is around $1 billion per year.

　　"Beixi-2" makes Russia more "independent" from Ukraine, and also provides Europe with a reliable and uninterrupted supply of natural gas.

But within Europe, the project has been controversial.

As early as 2016, 8 EU member states opposed the "Beixi-2" project.

After the United States and Germany reached an agreement in July this year, they were even more disappointed. On the one hand, they said it would make the EU more dependent on Russia. On the other hand, they were dissatisfied that the Biden administration regarded Germany as a "representative of Europe."

　　"Biden made a mistake, and reached an agreement on'Beixi-2' with Lame Duck Prime Minister Merkel without consulting with Ukraine." Michael McKay, a U.S. Ukrainian expert, posted on the 6th. The special post wrote: "Due to the US's actions, the NATO alliance split from east to west." McKay also mentioned the skyrocketing phenomenon of natural gas prices.

He said that Russian President Putin has always used the "Beixi-2" as a weapon, and Russia has pushed up the price of natural gas to more than $600 per 1,000 cubic meters.

　　British "Express" on the 7th criticized that Merkel and Biden were ashamed for allowing Putin to "weaponize" the "North Stream-2" project.

As winter approaches, people are increasingly worried that the United Kingdom may be unable to meet its demand for natural gas. The United Kingdom is more susceptible to natural gas supply crises than other Western European countries.

　　Yahoo News said on the 7th that the EU and Russia have a love-hate relationship.

Europe has been desperately diversifying the sources of natural gas supply and is also dissatisfied with the influence of Russian natural gas. However, the long winter last year depleted its reserves and European demand has become more and more urgent.

Unfortunately, after that winter, Asia ushered in a busy summer, and LNG cargoes moved from Europe to Asia because Asian buyers planned to pay higher prices.

"Has Russia already used the gas weapons that the EU and Ukraine have been worried about for many years? Some observers believe that this may well be the case."

　　According to a report by Bloomberg News on the 6th, European natural gas futures prices have soared in the past 14 months and continued to soar to record highs on Monday.

The decline in the flow of Russian natural gas into Europe has made the already tight market even more tense.

French energy analyst Jorro believes that with only a few weeks left before the heating season, European natural gas inventories are about 20% lower than the seasonal average. Traders are particularly concerned about the Russian natural gas supply routes to Europe.

"Europe will face a very severe winter this year." Holo said.

　　[Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia and Germany Zhang Guangzheng, Li Qiang, Yan Su, and Liu Yupeng take heavy responsibility]