In fresh days, there have been media reports of clandestine talks between Russia and the US on the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. This project, which is to connect Russia and Germany through the Baltic Sea, has long been controversial due to its implications for Europe's energy security.
According to European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline "is not a task of common interest for the European Union". This message confirms that the European Commission has long opposed the Nord Stream 2 project, considering that it does not diversify the usage of energy sources and is not in the EU's common interest.
Nord Stream 2: task history
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is about 1,200 km long and is to connect Russia with Germany through the Baltic. This task has long been controversial due to its implications for Europe's energy security. In 2022, after Russia's full-sized invasion of Ukraine, the gas pipeline was halted. A part of the pipeline was damaged by the act of sabotage in September 2022, but the results of the studies indicate that its repair would take only a fewer months.
Reports of classified conversations
In fresh days, there have been media reports about secret talks between Russia and the US on the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to the German paper “Bild”, for respective weeks now, the secret talks between the Russians and the Americans are to proceed in Switzerland, regarding the launch of Nord Stream 2. In the opinion of the American administration, this would be seen as part of the reconstruction of relations with Moscow.
European politicians' reactions
Reports of the possible launch of Nord Stream 2 have started to rise concerns for European politicians. Deputy Prime Minister and head of the MON, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said on Monday that the return to talks about starting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is “dangerous”. The European Commission has besides confirmed that its position on this issue remains unchanged and that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not in the EU's common interest.
European energy security
Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has crucial implications for Europe's energy security. According to Eurostat, 82% of gas imports to the EU came from Russia in 2020. The launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline could further increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas, which could have negative consequences for the energy safety of the continent.
The European Commission and European politicians should so be afraid about the possible launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. They should urgently consider alternate solutions that could guarantee Europe's energy safety and reduce dependence on Russian gas. Possible solutions may include investments in renewable energy sources specified as wind and sun, and diversification of gas imports, for example by connecting with another gas suppliers specified as Norway and the United States.
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Nord Stream gas pipeline 2: A threat to Europe's energy security
