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Under the deal, Germany would take unspecified national measures if Russia did, and such a decision could mean concessions by Chancellor Angela Merkel, who previously refused to take independent action against the Kremlin over the gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany.
Under the agreement, if Russia attempts to use energy as a weapon or carries out aggression against Ukraine, Germany would take action on its own, while also demanding measures at the European level, including sanctions, that would restrict Russia’s energy exports.
A senior US official, who asked that his identity not be identified, said the wording of the agreement was deliberately ambiguous because the administration did not want to reveal to Russia its plans for how it intended to respond to any malicious behavior. The official did not rule out that such actions could include restricting gas flows from Russia to Germany.
State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that he had no definitive information on the deal, but “the Germans have made helpful suggestions, which signifies progress toward our common goal of ensuring that Russia does not can use energy as a weapon. “
By raising the possibility of restricting Russian gas flows, the wording of the deal will almost certainly disappoint critics, including many US lawmakers who say the administration has done enough to shut down the pipeline. With President Joe Biden taking office, more than 90 percent of the pipeline construction has already been completed.
They were waiting for concrete wording that Germany would promise to cut gas from Nord Stream 2 if Russia sought undue influence over Ukraine. Yet Germany has long resisted such a threat, saying it will only further politicize a project that Merkel says is purely business-related.
Opponents of the pipeline have long argued that it will give Moscow too much leverage by threatening European national security. Initially, the Biden administration offered to try to stop construction, but later changed its mind, saying doing so would go too far and only worsen relations with the German government.
“What could we do with these poor cards that we inherited? – Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to German publication Der Spiegel last month. – Because yes, President Biden has long said that the pipeline is a bad idea, that it could become a tool of economic and strategic coercion in Russia, a tool that can be used not only against Ukraine, but also against Europe in its set. , because it will increase dependency. of Russian gas “.
Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, a Republican representing the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement Tuesday that the agreement “is full of promises and guarantees, but offers few meaningful means to address the major national security threats that the Nord Stream 2 represents for America’s allies and interests. “
Risch added that he will “continue to work with colleagues on both sides to generate significant costs for this damaging Russian project before it goes live.”
The agreement is expected to be consolidated in the coming days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States. State Department adviser Derek Chollet was due to travel to Ukraine on Tuesday to discuss a gas pipeline that Ukraine opposes before visiting Poland, which also opposes the project.
Under the draft agreement, the United States and Germany would seek to promote up to $ 1 billion in investments in the so-called Green Fund, which would help Ukraine transition to cleaner energy sources. Germany is committed to investing the first $ 175 million in the fund, the project said.
Germany would also appoint a special envoy – with $ 70 million in funding – to support bilateral energy projects with Ukraine.
Finally, the agreement would oblige Germany to use leverage to extend Ukraine’s gas transit agreement with Russia even ten years after its expiration in 2024. These negotiations will begin no later than September 1.
Nord Stream 2
The position of the Kremlin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming agreement between the United States and Germany. The Kremlin has long rejected accusations of using energy supplies as a political weapon and defended Nord Stream 2 as a purely commercial project. Russia has said it is considering using Ukraine to supply gas to Europe after the current transit agreement expires, but only if Kiev offers attractive terms.
Progress has been made after months of negotiations and Merkel’s visit to the White House last week. During a joint press conference, the two leaders emphasized their agreement to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from abusing the pipeline for political gain, even if their views on the purpose of the pipeline differ.
“Mudu and Chancellor Merkel are absolutely united in our belief that Russia should not be allowed to use energy as a weapon to rape or intimidate its neighbors,” Biden said. “We will take active measures if Russia does not respect Ukraine’s rights as a transit country.”
In her remarks, Merkel added: “We have many tools, not only in Germany but in Europe as a whole, that we can implement” and that Germany is “negotiating with its European friends.”
Earlier this year, the Biden administration imposed, but immediately lifted, sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, a Swiss-based pipeline company. US officials said the sanctions waiver gave them room for a diplomatic discussion, as they were still in talks with Berlin.
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