The European Commission has emphasized that there is no future for the Nord Stream gas pipeline system and is seeking to reduce dependence on Russian energy. These statements follow reports about the White House's plans for energy cooperation with Russia.
Opposition to the Revival of Nord Stream
The revival of Nord Stream could lead to the influx of cheap Russian natural gas into Northern Europe, which could affect Europe's demand for American liquefied natural gas. A spokesperson for the European Commission has stated that the body is not inclined to join proposed plans to bring Russian fuel back to Europe.
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Paula Pinho, a spokesperson for the European Commission, has emphasized that dependence on Russia for fossil fuel purchases comes with hidden costs, which Europe has experienced well. She also noted that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, insists on maintaining sanctions on Russian energy until the end of the war in Ukraine.
New Laws and Impact on Imports
Even if the war ends, the return of Russian gas to Europe will not be straightforward. The European Commission has passed a law that bans all imports of Russian gas through pipelines until September 2027, regardless of whether sanctions remain in place.
This approach could hinder reported efforts to repair and restart Nord Stream. Recently, a report emerged indicating that Jared Kushner, the U.S. special envoy, and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, discussed ways to attract an American investor to the Nord Stream project.
Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, has focused on trade agreements as a key component of peace deals in his diplomatic efforts in Europe and the Middle East. A White House spokesperson stated that the issue of Nord Stream was not on the recent diplomatic agenda.
The White House has also discussed U.S. participation in the Russian oil sector with the Kremlin in recent negotiations following the end of the war. Possible projects include reviving the Druzhba oil export pipeline to Europe (currently blocked due to EU sanctions) or reviving international cooperation in the Sakhalin oil and gas project.
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