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In its report to Congress, the State Department identified 18 of the largest Western companies that will not be subject to sanctions.
The companies said they had “benevolently scaled back their Nord Stream 2 operations,” said Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department.
“This shows that the goals of the law and our actions are having a positive impact,” Price said of both US parties’ opposition to the bill.
The representative made public only one company that will be subject to US sanctions: the Russian tuna fishing company KVT-Rus, which allegedly participated in the construction of Nord Stream 2.
US President Joe Biden criticized Nord Stream 2, saying the project will strengthen Russia and weaken the political influence of vulnerable states like Ukraine.
However, the Biden administration has also promised greater cooperation with European countries, including Germany, which says the project is necessary to meet energy needs, despite concerns about Russia.
“As far as our allies and partners are concerned, it is fair to say that none of our actions will surprise them.” We will continue to monitor actions that may lead to additional sanctions, including sanctions, but I think it would be a mistake to think that sanctions are the only one. tool we have, “Price said.
In an article published by Politico on Monday, Polish and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Zbigniew Rau and Dmytro Kuleba warned that Russia was “dangerously close” to completion of the pipeline.
If Nord Stream 2 is completed, Ukrainians will be convinced that the West does not care about their safety.
“We urge the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to take all possible measures to prevent the project from being completed,” the ministers wrote.
Republican Party representatives, in turn, accused Biden of backing his promises to take tougher action against Russia.
“This report is a gift to the Russians and their attempts to undermine Europe’s energy security, destabilize Ukraine and promote corruption and bad influence throughout Europe,” said Jim Risch, a Republican member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.
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