German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (GSDP) has spoken out against linking Nord Stream 2 certification to efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine. "The pipeline is a project of the private sector," the national daily Die Welt quoted Scholz as saying after the Brussels summit of state and government leaders of the European Union.
In order to be put into operation, compliance with European legislation needs to be clarified in one aspect. "The authorities in Germany are deciding this quite apolitically," the GSDP politician stressed. This is a "different issue" from current efforts to prevent violations of Ukraine's borders, Scholz said.
The pipeline was completed weeks ago. The Federal Grid Agency decides on the issuance of the operating permit. The pipeline has long been criticized by the United States, but also by some EU countries. They fear that it will make the EU too dependent on Russia for energy supplies.
At its summit, the EU unanimously threatened Russia with a response in the event of an attack on Ukraine. A joint statement by the heads of state and government stressed that Russia must immediately ease tensions caused by the deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine and aggressive rhetoric. Any further military aggression will have "huge consequences and high costs".
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