how Russia assessed the US sanctions rhetoric on Nord Stream 2 – Tatarstan in Russian
Moscow condemned Washington’s decision on sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. As stated in the Kremlin, this step is a “continuation of the sanctions language” of Washington, which the American side stubbornly refuses to abandon. The Russian Embassy in the United States called the attempts of the United States to conduct a “dialogue through sanctions” with the Russian Federation unacceptable and violate international law. Earlier, the State Department announced the implementation of the sanctions against two vessels and one “system with Russia of the company”, which are involved in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to experts, the American authorities are demonstrative and will not affect the implementation of the project. According to analysts, the United States has exhausted its sanctions capabilities.
Russia condemned the decision of the American authorities to new sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. As stated by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, these restrictions are a “continuation of the sanctions language” of Washington, which the United States does not want to give up.
“Of course, this is something that we have an extremely negative attitude to, we are not talking about that. But again, this is illegal, wrong, especially against the background of such intense attempts, the previously lost dialogue, ”Peskov told reporters.
In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the sanctions against Nord Stream 2 are a blatant example of unilateral and politically motivated restrictions by Western countries led by the United States.
“For our part, we are responding to invalid steps in a verified and adequate manner,” he said at a forum organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, also reacted to Washington’s decision to impose restrictions on Nord Stream 2. He called the attempts of the United States to conduct with Russia “dialogue through unacceptable and in violation of international law.”
“We regard all attempts against Russian oil and gas exports to Europe as unfair competition that undermine the principles of a free market,” he told the media.
The Russian ambassador also drew attention to the fact that Washington’s measures delayed the commissioning of Nord Stream 2.
“And this is with simultaneous calls to Russia to increase energy supplies to Europe in order to minimize the consequences of the fuel crisis,” said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission.
Antonov also approved that Moscow categorically rejects the accusations of Russian energy policy.
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“Such statements show the disrespect of the United States for its own allies, who are for building long-term mutually beneficial cooperation by our country. We have proven in practice that we are reliable partners in the energy sphere, ”the diplomat said.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced new sanctions against two vessels and one “system with Russia of the company”, which are involved in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.
“The Department of State has presented to Congress a report under the 2019 European Energy Security Act (PEESA) in its latest revision. This report features two vessels and one associated with Russia, Transadria Ltd, involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Transadria Ltd will be subject to the envisaged PEESA sanctions and its cruiser Marlin will be defined as a blocked property, ”Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department.
It is also noted that the report presented to Congress “is consistent with the continuing opposition of the United States of America to Nord Stream 2 and compliance with the US requirements of the PEESA regulations.”
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US Department of State
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Reuters
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© Joshua Roberts
His statement also talks about working with other countries to reduce the “risks” due to the gas pipeline.
“Even as the administration continues to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline (including through our sanctions), we continue to work with Germany and other allies and partners to reduce the risks that Ukraine faces from this pipeline and at the forefront of NATO and the EU.
Appeals from congressmen
We will remind, last week a group of Republicans in the US Congress called on the White House to “undo decisions” associated with the refusal to impose critical sanctions on Nord Stream 2. Legislators also said that Washington should demand from the EU a response to Russia’s use of energy resources “as a weapon.” In addition, the congressmen called for “recognizing and condemning Russia’s blatant attempts” to exacerbate the serious energy crisis in Europe.
“The fact that the administration (USA. – RT) still has not rethought its decision to the green light pipeline, defies explanation. It is even more difficult to understand this in the conditions of Putin’s regime, aimed at fanning the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, “- said in a letter from Republicans used by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
It should be noted that Moscow has repeatedly denied its involvement in provoking an energy crisis in the EU.
In September, US lawmakers also proposed restrictions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Their text clarifies that US President Joe Biden must apply sanctions against “any entity” responsible for planning, construction or operation of the gas pipeline or the successor organization, as well as “any other corporate member of the organization or major shareholder with a majority stake in the organization.” … It was also proposed to introduce a ban on the receipt of American and business travel to the United States that are associated with the project, and to block the property of these individuals and companies in the United States.
Exhausted possibilities
As the deputy general director of the Institute of National Energy Alexander Frolov noted in an interview with RT, the law on the protection of energy security against Nord Stream 2 has already activated sanctions under the law on the protection of energy security against Nord Stream 2, but European restrictions on gas pipelines turned out to be counterproductive, which even Biden himself admitted.
“The US itself actually stated that it could not use the mechanism effectively. The same will happen now. Washington: opportunities in this area. American restrictions cannot influence Nord Stream 2 in any way, it has already been completed and should be put into operation, “the analyst said.
Vladimir Bruter, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Research, shares this opinion. According to him, Washington’s decision to impose sanctions is more a “demonstrative step” than a real measure.
“The American authorities cannot stop the challenge of the project by this. The United States, imposing sanctions against the gas pipeline, is doing it demonstratively, but not in the expectation that this will have any serious consequences. This decision in fact will not create any deep problems for Nord Stream 2, which is 100% erected, all technical steps have already been completed – the matter remains with the legal details and logistics. But this meraana continues against the project to show that the United States continues to oppose the project, “the expert said in a conversation with RT.
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The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
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According to Bruter, the United States is indifferent to international law when it comes to Nord Stream 2.
“In this context, the United States thinks primarily about its economic interests. As for Russia, in the opinion of the American side, the Russian Federation should not have any prospects for increasing its gas volumes on the market. Moreover, Washington wants everything that Russia does to be coordinated with the United States. But Washington already realizes that this will not work, although it is making attempts in this direction, ”the analyst said.
Frolov also believes that the introduction of sanctions by the UN without the approval of the Security Council is at least an act that requires additional investigation from the point of view of its legality.
“The Russian Ambassador to the United States is absolutely right in this: these are the norms of international law,” – the expert observes.
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Commenting on Antonov’s unfair competition in the US energy market in connection with the imposition of sanctions against Nord Stream 2, as well as Peskov’s assessment in connection with the situation, Frolov explained that one of the main reasons for Washington’s opposition to this project is the words of insurance gas that the pipeline reduces the ability of the United States to control energy flows to the EU.
“Due to a decrease in gas pumping through the territory of Ukraine and an increase through Nord Stream 2, the EU will gain more freedom of will and will be able to more actively reorient its trade relations with the United States towards Russia and China. Washington does not want to allow this, especially in the context of the growing global economic crisis, ”the analyst said.
As Frolov noted, Washington’s opposition to the gas pipeline is not only an attempt to strangle a competitor and reduce its ability to supply gas to Europe, but also a desire to put pressure on the EU.
“The United States by this shows its disdainful attitude towards its allies and demonstrates complete control over the EU economy and its energy flows. However, these plans of Washington are not destined to come true, ”the expert concluded.