Russia condemned the decision of the US authorities to impose new sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

As the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said, these restrictions are the "continuation of the sanctions language" of Washington, which the United States stubbornly refuses to abandon.

“Of course, this is something that we have an extremely negative attitude to, we have talked about this more than once.

But again, we consider it illegal, wrong, especially against the background of such strenuous attempts to develop the previously lost dialogue, ”Peskov told reporters.

In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the sanctions against Nord Stream 2 are a blatant example of unilateral and politically motivated restrictions by Western countries led by the United States. 

“For our part, we are responding to such unfriendly steps in a verified and adequate manner,” he said at a forum organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).

Anatoly Antonov, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, also reacted to Washington's decision to impose restrictions on Nord Stream 2.

He called the attempts of the United States to conduct "dialogue through sanctions" with Russia unacceptable and in violation of international law.

“We regard all attempts against Russian oil and gas exports to Europe as unfair competition that undermines the principles of a free market,” he told the media.

The Russian ambassador also drew attention to the fact that Washington's measures are aimed at delaying the commissioning of Nord Stream 2.

“And this is with simultaneous calls to Russia to increase energy supplies to Europe in order to minimize the consequences of the fuel crisis,” said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission.

Antonov also stressed that Moscow categorically rejects accusations about Russian energy policy.

“Such statements show the disrespect of the United States for its own allies, who are ready to build long-term mutually beneficial cooperation with our country.

We have proven in practice that we are reliable partners in the energy sphere, ”the diplomat said.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced new sanctions against two vessels and one "Russian-related company" that are involved in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.

“The Department of State has presented to Congress a report under the 2019 European Energy Security Act (PEESA) in its latest revision.

This report features two vessels and one Russian-related company, Transadria Ltd, involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Transadria Ltd will be subject to PEESA sanctions and its Marlin will be designated as a blocked property, ”Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department.

It is also noted that the report presented to Congress "is consistent with the ongoing opposition of the United States to Nord Stream 2 and the US government's compliance with the PEESA regulations."

  • US Department of State

  • Reuters

  • © Joshua Roberts

His statement also talks about working with other countries to reduce the "risks" due to the gas pipeline.

“Even as the administration continues to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline (including through our sanctions), we continue to work with Germany and other allies and partners to reduce the risks that Ukraine faces from this pipeline and which are at the forefront of NATO and the EU, as well as to counter the harmful activities of Russia, including in the energy sector, ”the message says.

Appeals from congressmen

We will remind, last week, a group of Republicans in the US Congress called on the White House to "reverse dangerous decisions" related to the refusal to impose critical sanctions on Nord Stream 2.

Legislators also reported that Washington should demand from the EU a response to Russia's use of energy resources "as a weapon."

In addition, the congressmen called for "recognizing and condemning Russia's blatant attempts" to exacerbate a serious energy crisis in Europe.

“The fact that the (USA -

RT

)

administration

has not yet reconsidered its decision to give the pipeline the green light cannot be explained.

It is even more difficult to understand this in light of the efforts of the Putin regime aimed at fanning the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, ”- said in a letter from Republicans sent to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

It should be noted that Moscow has repeatedly denied its involvement in provoking an energy crisis in the EU.

In September, US lawmakers also proposed restricting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Just when you thought this counter-kleptocracy national defense bill couldn't get any stronger, @ RepMcCaul @ RepMarcyKaptur bill to sanction Nord Stream 2 and repeal waiver authority is added as is @BradSherman bill to sanction Russian debt in secondary markets.

Amazing!

pic.twitter.com/Px9UiyvsO4

- Paul Massaro (@ apmassaro3) September 23, 2021

Their text clarifies that US President Joe Biden must apply sanctions against "any entity" responsible for planning, construction or operation of the pipeline or the successor organization, as well as "any other corporate official or majority shareholder with a majority stake in the organization." ...

It was also proposed to introduce a ban on obtaining American visas and entry into the United States for persons associated with the project, and to block the property of these persons and companies in the United States.

Exhausted possibilities

As the deputy general director of the Institute of National Energy Alexander Frolov noted in an interview with RT, Washington has already applied sanctions under the law on protecting European energy security against Nord Stream 2, but the restrictions on the gas pipeline turned out to be counterproductive, which even Biden himself admitted.

“The United States itself actually stated that it could not effectively use the sanctions mechanism.

The same will happen now, Washington has exhausted its possibilities in this direction.

American restrictions cannot in any way affect Nord Stream 2, it has already been completed and should be put into operation, "the analyst emphasized.

Vladimir Bruter, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Research, adheres to a similar position.

According to him, Washington's decision to impose new sanctions is more a "demonstrative step" than a real measure.

“The American authorities cannot stop the implementation of the project by this.

The United States, imposing sanctions against the gas pipeline, is doing it demonstratively, but not in the expectation that this will have any serious consequences.

This decision in fact does not create any deep problems for Nord Stream 2, which is 100% erected, and all technical steps have already been completed, the matter remains with the legal details and logistics.

But this measure is intended to show that the United States will continue to oppose the project, "the expert said in a conversation with RT.

  • Gas pipeline "Nord Stream - 2"

  • © nord-stream2.com

According to Bruter, the United States is indifferent to international law when it comes to Nord Stream 2.

“In this context, the United States thinks, first of all, about its economic interests.

As for Russia, in the opinion of the American side, the Russian Federation should not have any prospects for increasing its gas volumes in the market.

Moreover, Washington wants everything that Russia does to be coordinated with the United States.

But Washington already realizes that this will not work, although it is making attempts in this direction, ”the analyst said.

Frolov also believes that the introduction of American sanctions without the approval of the UN Security Council is at least an act that requires additional investigation from the point of view of its legality.

“The Russian Ambassador to the United States is absolutely right in this, this is a violation of international law,” the expert noted.

Commenting on Antonov's words about unfair US competition in the energy market in connection with the imposition of sanctions against Nord Stream 2, as well as Peskov's assessment in connection with the situation, Frolov explained that one of the main reasons why Washington opposes the project is the fear that the pipeline reduces the ability of the United States to control energy flows to the EU.

“Due to the decrease in gas pumping through the territory of Ukraine and the increase through the“ Nord Stream - 2 ”, the EU will get more free will and will be able to more actively reorient its trade relations with the United States towards Russia and China.

Washington does not want to allow this, especially in the context of the growing global economic crisis, ”the analyst said.

As Frolov noted, Washington's opposition to the gas pipeline is not only an attempt to strangle a competitor and reduce its ability to supply gas to Europe, but also a desire to put pressure on the EU.

“The United States by this shows its disdainful attitude towards its allies and demonstrates a desire to fully control the EU economy and its energy flows.

However, these plans of Washington are not destined to come true, ”the expert concluded.