US senators threatens sanctions over Nord Stream 2
Washington and Berlin face off again over Nord Stream 2 as European ships are targeted.
Censor.NET reports citing Foreign Policy.
In the latest uptick of trans-Atlantic tensions, European ships involved in the construction of a controversial gas pipeline from Russia to Germany could be subject to U.S. sanctions under a new bipartisan bill that will be introduced in the U.S. Senate as early as Monday.
The bill, sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz, a Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, would sanction companies involved in laying deep-sea pipelines for Russian energy projects, taking direct aim at the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which has emerged as a major source of tension between the United States and Germany.
Under the bill, people who continue to sell or lease boats for use in Nord Stream 2 construction would be subject to a U.S. travel ban, and any assets in the United States would be frozen. The bill also allows for a range of penalties to be imposed on people who provide financial or technical support services or insurance to the vessels.
Nord Stream 2 representatives did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The bill would put under scrutiny two companies that have contracts to lay pipes for Nord Stream 2: Switzerland’s Allseas and Italy’s Saipem, two of only a handful of companies worldwide that operate pipe-laying vessels. It also ratchets up pressure on Gazprom and the five companies partnering on Nord Stream 2: Uniper and Wintershall from Germany, Anglo-Dutch Shell, OMV from Austria, and Engie of France.
