Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev commented on the decision of Germany to suspend the certification of the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, noting that as a result of this decision, the cost of a thousand cubic meters of gas for Europeans could rise to 2,000 euros.
“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz instructed to stop the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Well. Welcome to a new world where Europeans will soon pay 2,000 euros for a thousand cubic meters of gas!” Medvedev wrote on Twitter. Exchange gas prices in Europe on Tuesday, February 22, grew by more than 10% against the backdrop of the situation around Ukraine.
Last night, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR, which declared their independence in the spring of 2014, when an armed conflict began in the territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine after a coup in Kiev. Later, the republics held referendums on independence from Ukraine. The United States, European countries and a number of other states did not recognize the results of the vote.
Today, the European Union, NATO and the United States condemned Putin’s decision. The OSCE called on Russia to immediately withdraw recognition of the sovereignty of the DPR and LPR, explaining that this is contrary to the Minsk agreements and could increase tension in the region.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced the imposition of sanctions against Russia on February 22. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also promised to deal a “strong blow” to the country. At the same time, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer specified that a serious EU sanctions regime would also affect Nord Stream 2 upon entry into force.
Later on February 22, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that he had ordered the certification process of the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG, to be suspended.