US Defense Budget Adoption Blocked Due to Nord Stream 2 | News from Germany on world events

Republicans in the US Senate on Monday, November 29, blocked the adoption of the US defense budget for next year – the required 60 out of 100 votes were not collected. concerning the imposition of mandatory sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Opponents of the pipeline in the Senate believe it could harm US allies. McConnell called Nord Stream 2 “the gas pipeline that is fueling Putin’s invasion of Europe.”

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the blocking of the draft defense budget, calling the actions of opponents “inexplicable and outrageous.” Democrats will continue to work to ensure that American soldiers receive payments and critical defense programs continue to work, he said. McConnell, in turn, accused Schumer of delaying the adoption of the amendments and a desire to “obstruct the debate on Russian aggression.”

In order to bring the draft defense budget to the Senate vote, Democrats need to enlist the support of a majority of the Republicans. At the same time, regarding Nord Stream 2, there is no unity among the representatives of the Democratic Party themselves.

Sanctions against the Russian Federation in the event of an invasion of Ukraine

So, on November 19, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democrat Bob Menendez, proposed an amendment to the country’s defense budget project, providing for the imposition of sanctions against Moscow in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.

According to the amendment, immediately after the start of hostilities by the Russian Federation, President Joe Biden will have to approve sanctions and visa restrictions against Russian high-ranking military and intelligence personnel who are “planning or carrying out an invasion” of Ukraine.

In addition, sanctions are envisaged against Russian banks, state-owned companies, oil and gas enterprises, and sovereign debt. For example, any companies or individuals involved in the planning and operation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be subject to restrictions.

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Author: Andrey Gurkov