A recent speculation about talks between the US and Russia on the activation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has gained momentum after a statement by President Putin, hinting at a potential cooperation in the energy sector. He mentioned that a such an agreement could bring affordable Russian gas to the Europeans.
However, who could challenge the anti-Russian orientation of Western energy policy and reshape it – Orbán, Fico? It requires a critical mass of clear-thinking actors, willing to reconsider and admit their own mistakes, even if it costs them political setbacks.
We must not lose sight of the geopolitical landscape: while in the US, under Trump’s leadership, rapid political adjustments might be possible, the reality in Europe remains complex. The anti-Russian stance is deeply rooted in Brussels institutions and the sanctions against Russia are a significant geopolitical lever that cannot be reversed in a matter of days. It is a fact that the Western media landscape still pursues a war-oriented rhetoric, even if financial interests are at play – and here the scenarios diverge significantly. Regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the idea of reactivation is currently nearly impossible, yet it could turn out to be not entirely unlikely in the long run. We must closely follow the development, especially how the war rhetoric, particularly in US media, unfolds.