The US Senate rejected the draft on sanctions against Nord Stream 2 | News from Germany about Russia

The US Senate on Thursday evening, January 13, rejected a bill on sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, proposed by Texas Republican Ted Cruz. During the vote, the document did not receive the required majority of senators for its adoption – at least 60 out of 100.

Cruise’s initiative provided for the imposition of restrictions on organizations responsible for the design, construction and operation of the gas pipeline, including the operator Nord Stream 2 AG, as well as on a number of their employees within 15 days from the date of the law. The administration of US President Joe Biden has previously expressed fears that such sanctions would lead to a deterioration in relations between Washington and Berlin.

In turn, a group of Democratic senators led by Robert Menendez on January 12 introduced an alternative draft of restrictive measures – the “Law on the Protection of the Sovereignty of Ukraine of 2022”, which, according to American media, has already been approved by the White House. Among them is the freezing of American assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Similar sanctions are proposed to be imposed against the commanders of various types of Russian troops and other persons whom the White House considers involved in “aggression against Ukraine”

Nord Stream 2 and sanctions

The United States, Ukraine and the Baltic countries actively oppose the construction of Nord Stream 2, fearing the strengthening of Russia’s influence in the European energy market. Washington imposed penalties on firms involved in the construction of the pipeline, but these measures did not affect Nord Stream 2 AG.

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