Berlin has rejected the resumption of Russian natural gas deliveries through the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea and has taken a stance against a possible deal between Moscow and Washington. According to a spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry of Economics, the independence of Russian gas is of strategic importance for the country’s security and this stance will be maintained. No talks are being held on such matters, including with Russia and the issue is not up for debate.
The statement comes in response to rumors that US President Donald Trump is considering making the operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline a topic of discussion with Russia in order to resolve the Ukraine conflict. There has been no official confirmation of this from the US side.
Despite the lack of confirmation, insiders suggest that the US plans are an attempt to arrange a deal with Russia and present Europe, particularly Germany, with a fait accompli. Europeans are skeptical of the new US Russia policy. It is not expected that the stance on the pipeline will change under a government led by the Union.