The US and Russia continue to clash over the future of the Nord Stream 2 project. The US government is well aware that it needs powerful allies to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added more fuel to the fire, saying that Washington was seeking to create a coalition of countries to block Nord Stream 2.
"The US believes the Nord Stream 2 pipeline creates a risk for Europe by becoming dependent on gas that's coming out of Russia and also threatens Ukraine, something I know many German people care deeply about," Pompeo said. "We hope the Nord Stream 2 pipeline won't be completed. We are working to make sure we build a coalition to prevent that from happening," he added. He also argued that the situation with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny was unacceptable and it could not be ignored. According to German military doctors and experts from Sweden and France, Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the Novichok group of nerve agents. In response, Russia urged Berlin to use its own judgment on Nord Stream 2 and not bow to US pressure. "After the chemical weapons attack that took place here in Salisbury, along with our other allies, we pushed back, we punished Russia with important sanctions. We wanted the world to know that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by nations like ours who value the rule of law," Pompeo lashed out. He pointed out that the US would respond likewise if the investigation confirmed the poisoning of Navalny.
Currently, tensions around Nord Stream 2 are hitting up. Germany remains the only strong ally of Russia. However, the country is now in an extremely difficult position when it should choose between international laws and economic benefits. It seems that Germany is hesitating and the US is sure to take advantage of it.
