The State Department threatens Nord Stream 2 with US military command in Europe
The United States is concerned about the construction of the second branch of the Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline and believes that Europeans should buy more expensive American gas.
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Acting Ukrainian stated this in an interview with BBC. US State Department Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs Sue Saarno, who visited Kyiv.
Having said that after Ukraine she plans to visit Austria and Germany, she called the purpose of her trip to Europe “the priority of European energy security,” clarifying that “Ukraine is at the head of priority countries in this context.”
Saarno admits that Europe is divided on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, adding that the United States is on the side of those countries that oppose this project.
“We believe that it does not contribute to the diversification of energy supplies and diversification of routes. We believe that it is dangerous for Europe to depend for almost 75% of supplies from a single source. We believe that in the interests of Europe’s energy security it is necessary to have different suppliers (of energy), as well as different supply routes,” said a State Department spokeswoman.
According to her, the United States understands that Germany supports Nord Stream 2, but she wants to “talk with representatives of various parties, find out their position.
“Also, I want to talk to representatives of the American military command in Europe and hear their thoughts, because this is a matter of national security. If we talk about the security of Europe, then energy security is a component of it,” says Saarnjo.
She also said that Washington is expecting an increase in exports of unconventional gas from the United States. At the same time, she admitted that Russian gas is cheaper than American gas, but called on Europeans to give preference to more expensive American gas for the sake of their safety.
The State Department threatens Nord Stream 2 with the US military command in Europe.