US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said that if Russia invades Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will not be implemented. Washington calls on Beijing to influence Moscow on the situation in Ukraine.
“If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward,” Ms. Nuland said at a briefing. The State Department broadcast it on YouTube.
She joked that it would be nice if vodka was supplied through the gas pipeline. This is how Victoria Nuland responded to the journalist’s remark that Nord Stream 2 has already been completed, and if it is launched, then it will be possible to supply anything through it – “olive oil, gas or vodka.” “Vodka would be very good. Olive oil would be very good,” said the Deputy Secretary of State.
According to her, the United States and allies are united in their desire to give a “quick and tough” response to Russia in the event of an attack on Ukraine. “We urge Beijing to use its influence with Moscow to sway it towards diplomacy, because if a conflict breaks out in Ukraine, it will not be good for China,” she added.
The Deputy Secretary of State also commented on the meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four on Donbass. In her opinion, this format is the best for the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Victoria Nuland expressed hope that Moscow will study Washington’s response on security guarantees and return to negotiations on this topic. She said that the document contains US concerns, including Russia’s violation of “sovereignty in relation to neighbors.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock said earlier that Germany was ready to impose sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the event of an attack on Ukraine. Russia denies planning an invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that Western countries “without exaggeration are in some kind of military frenzy” when they talk about sanctions against Russia.
About the answer on security guarantees and about the situation around Ukraine – in the material “Kommersant” “Without a special east.”