Behind 'Nord Stream 2'

(Baonghean.vn)-Since the Nord Stream 2 project was implemented, Russia has been criticized for not only not benefiting the EU’s energy security, but also making the Union dependent on Russia and causing serious geopolitical losses for Europe. However, in reality, the EU still does not want to miss out on this project.

A hesitant EU

After information about this project was announced, Poland, Ukraine and 7 other Eastern European countries strongly opposed this project.

Previously, fearing that its traditional gas transit from Russia would be cut off, Poland had always strongly opposed the possibility of Germany cooperating with Russia to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to transport gas from Russia to Western Europe, because according to the plan, this pipeline would run under the Baltic Sea without passing through Polish territory.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski stressed: "The construction of the second Nord Stream pipeline may not be necessary. The capacity of the first Nord Stream will be increased, and gas will be delivered to southern European countries via the OPAL pipeline. Therefore, Russia can abandon the construction of the second pipeline and simply exploit the existing capacity of the Nord Stream 1 and OPAL pipelines."

However, when Poland saw the benefits of this pipeline, it changed its attitude and demanded that the pipeline run through Polish territory. "We want the gas pipeline from Russia to Western Europe to run through Polish territory. This would be a sign of solidarity and friendly partnership between the EU and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe," Witold Waszczykowski affirmed.

Russian oil and gas flows attract major EU companies to participate, despite ongoing EU sanctions against Russia. Photo: Ria Novosti

Denmark and Sweden are in a "dilemma" when the ecological environment of this country can decide the fate of the Project. The governments of these two countries have sent a joint letter to the EC requesting an official assessment of Nord Stream, to clearly determine the environmental impact where the pipeline passes. For the time being, Copenhagen does not dare to stop the construction of the pipeline and waits for the official conclusion of the EC.

This indicates that, on the one hand, Denmark does not want to "miss out" on a significant economic benefit by allowing the pipeline to pass. On the other hand, it does not want to "offend" the EU countries that are on the opposing side.

In addition, although the European Commission (EC) has repeatedly declared its intention to reduce its dependence on green fuel supplies from Russia, it has still quietly "fostered" the Nord Stream 2 Project by giving the EC the "green light" to exploit 80% of the gas pipeline's design capacity.

Russia needs EU to make a quick decision

In 2016, despite economic sanctions from the European Union (EU) and the United States, Russia still supplied record amounts of gas to the West.

According to data released by Gazprom (Russia), Gazprom's gas market share in the EU market has been increasing continuously in recent times. Russia has met more than 30% of the EU's gas consumption demand. Due to its proactive pricing, Gazprom's gas supply contracts always have more attractive prices than other companies.

In this year's favorable climatic conditions due to the absence of extreme weather events, Gazprom has emerged as the only natural gas supplier capable of ensuring a reliable and stable response to the demand arising from European customers.

Russian President attends an oil and gas pipeline opening ceremony online. Photo: Ria Novosti

The fact is that the "Old Continent" will not be able to get through the winter without Russian gas. In other words, the EU cannot stay away from Russian oil and gas pipelines despite the economic sanctions that the Union has had to debate many times to pass and continuously extend in recent times.

The fact is that Nord Stream 2 is a gas supply to the EU, not owned by the EU. Therefore, operating the project is "perfectly reasonable" for both sides.

Furthermore, the Nord Stream 2 project enables Russia and Europe to increase mutual benefits in reducing intermediary influences from Russia while ensuring the maintenance of US economic sanctions.

However, the EU is still not ready to give a final answer to Russia, because Washington is still hesitant in its relationship with the Kremlin. And Brussels does not dare to act independently.

"For the successful implementation of Nord Stream 2, it is important first of all to take into account the position of the European Commission and the regulation of the countries whose territorial waters the pipeline will pass through, for example, Germany - a major customer of Russian natural gas. Let us hope that in the end common sense will prevail and our European partners will not act to the detriment of their own interests in the energy sector," said Sergei Nechayev, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's 3rd European Department.

Russia has taken the first steps in building the second gas pipeline to supply Europe. As for the future of Nord Stream 2, it will depend on Europe's next moves.

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