Putin is a person who is sometimes "inappropriate" and is quite cute. He particularly likes to tease Germany.
For example, at a Russian-European summit one year, there was Merkel sitting opposite me. Putin actually drove a car to the lady. He said: No matter how much you toss on your wedding night, you will never be able to escape the result of being that. Merkel rolled his eyes directly back to one of his bosses. The joke
is still subtle. When the lady was not present, Putin's speed began to soar. Washington Post commented that Russia wants to seize the lifeline of Germany. Putin replied: I really don’t understand why Americans are so worried about the lifeblood of the Germans. I guess they also want to catch them. They must be greedy for such a good lifeblood.
Putin's joke is very funny
It has been more than 10 years since Putin drove. The world situation is changing too quickly. In two months, the "lifeline" of Germany and even Europe will be tightly held by Russia. But for some reason, Germany is not only happy, but also hopes that this day will arrive soon. Therefore, in order to compete for this "lifeline", the United States, Russia, Germany, France, Poland, , , Czech , , Ukrainian and other countries ended one after another, staged a wonderful drama.
So, what exactly does this "lifeline" refer to? Why do it make everyone take a bite like Tang Monk’s meat? Even small countries like Poland and Ukraine want to get involved?
Big Hello, welcome to the cognitive pyramid. Today we will tell you the story of what happened around a pipeline that may determine the fate of Germany, Europe and the United States.
Some time ago, just when Ukrainian conflict was at the most tense time, a shocking news came from Eastern Europe: Poland, which we remember, actually sent a fishing boat directly to knock a Russian warship into a big hole.
Polish fishing boat hit a Russian warship? Is this crazy? And what is Russia's reaction?
Let’s first review the conflict process.
On that day, after Polish fishing boats entered Bonholm Island , the goal was very clear, that is, the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline worth US$9.6 billion, which will continuously transport Russian natural gas to Germany. At that time, Russia's pipeline construction ship was constructed nearby.
As the Polish fishing boat gets closer and closer to the Russian engineering boat, the Russian issued a radio warning, but the fishing boat pretends not to hear it. Fortunately, that day, a Russian supply ship, , came to deliver supplies to the construction team. At the critical moment, the warship stepped forward and stood in front of the construction ship, trying to block the Polish fishing boat's way.
Even the warship took off, but this fishing boat had no intention of stopping. So with a rumbling sound, the two ships collided, and a big hole was knocked out of the tail of the supply ship.
Polish fishing boat collided instantly
Fortunately, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline did not suffer any losses.
In fact, this is not the first time Poland has made ground on Tai Sui's head. Previously, Poland had dispatched warships, aircraft, submarines and other ships many times to harass the construction of Nord Stream II. Russia probably ignored him in order to speed up the construction period and avoid right and wrong. After this fishing boat incident, Russia was completely angry: The tiger does not show its power, do you think I am a little cat? So afterwards, Russia decisively ordered warships deployed near Baltic Sea to enter the sea directly. Fleet Commander Nosatov claimed that the Navy would protect the engineering fleet, and they were ready to use the missile to destroy any targets that threaten Russian ships. In other words, if the Poles dare to get closer to the engineering area, the Russian Navy can directly sink it without leaving a single ship.
This is simply the rhythm of going to war with Poland.
The time node for Poland to collide is exactly the peak period of Ukraine conflict.Could it be that Poland and Ukraine have such a good relationship, and they will bring the war to themselves for the sake of Ukraine?
Obviously, Poland's realm is not so noble yet, he just wanted to destroy Nord River 2. So why is Poland so hard that it is willing to offend Russia and Germany, two powerful neighbors, at the same time for a pipeline? Has Poland forgotten the painful lesson that they had been divided up three times?
Let’s take a look at the subsequent development of this event.
After Poland failed, the United States took action in person. This time we came an nuclear submarine, . According to foreign media reports, the nuclear submarine entered the construction area of Beixi 2 for investigation. In the face of this military threat, Russia's response is still missiles.
American nuclear submarine
It seems that Putin's joke is not wrong at all. The United States is really greedy for Germany's lifeline.
So what is Germany's attitude, the owner of the "lifeline"?
In fact, Germany rarely gained a strong moment. Merkel actually sent the frigate to patrol the surrounding waters under the construction of Nord Stream 2.
So, how important is the Beixi No. 2 natural gas pipeline that can make the United States, Germany and Russia crazy test on the verge of being fired?
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Since it is called Beixi No. 2, then there is naturally Beixi No. 1. Both are undersea natural gas pipelines. Nord Stream 2 is a parallel line of No. 1. It starts from Ustiluga, Russia, and passes the Baltic Sea to Greifswald in Germany.
Nord Stream No. 1 ventilation ceremony, both sides laughed and burst into laughter
Russia is Germany's main natural gas supplier. Originally, they had a land gas pipeline, but this land pipeline route goes to Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia , Poland and other countries. Every time you pass through a country, you have to pay expensive transit fees. And coincidentally, the above countries all hate Russia to the core. Every time there is a diplomatic dispute, they will talk about the gas pipeline, either increasing the toll or threatening to cut off the pipeline transportation. Especially Ukraine, the pipeline has been cut off several times, making EU and Russia very embarrassed.
Ukraine often threatens to quit gas
There are many times when the gas is cut off. Russia is naturally upset if it makes less money, but Germany has no gas, but it is a fatal matter, especially in winter, which is all about natural gas heating. So, Germany wondered, since I only need Russia, and Russia only needs me, why can't we avoid these "third parties"? So, there were two pipelines in the North Stream.
Nord Stream 2 is of great strategic significance to Russia, Germany and Europe. For Russia, it can expand its own natural gas export share and earn more foreign exchange income; at the same time, it can also strengthen its political influence on Western European countries, especially Germany.
And for Germany, this gas transmission line is a matter of life and death. Because today's German energy supply depends heavily on Russian natural gas.
, which has been built, can export 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas to countries along the route every year. But for Germany, this number is far from meeting his needs. In 2019, Germany has become the world's largest importer of pipeline natural gas, with a total import volume of 109.6 billion cubic meters, accounting for 13.7% of the global total. In other words, Nord Stream 1 can only satisfy half of Germany's appetite, so Russia and Germany began to plan to build Nord Stream 2.
German environmentalists march
So, Germany is not large, why is its demand for natural gas so huge?
In fact, Germany's energy structure is very strange.
In modern society, energy is the lifeblood of any country, especially a country built on industrial countries.
Originally, Germany has a lot of energy, so there is no need to worry about it.Southern Germany has rich coal mine resources, which can provide thermal power generation; and its nuclear power plant started very early, with 17 nuclear power plants in Germany, which can provide a large amount of electricity to the entire country and even the EU neighbors.
But in the 21st century, Germany was in a state of confusion and actually "caught himself by wielding his sword". And this story can also provide a negative teaching material for today's energy security in China.
In 2011, after the Fukushima nuclear leak accident that shocked the whole world, the German people felt that their nuclear power plants were also unsafe. Soon, nuclear power evolved from an energy problem to a political problem. A few days after the Fukushima accident, a number of large-scale anti-nuclear protests occurred across Germany.
Isar nuclear power plant located in Bavaria
In fact, Germany's environmental protection organizations have been using nuclear power for a long time. Those civil rights activists with complex and profound backgrounds always criticize the government for using anti-nuclear power as a weapon. On May 29, 2011, the Merkel administration, which could not withstand the pressure, had to announce the permanent closure of 8 of the 17 nuclear power plants in China.
It is easy to say the sentence of closing a nuclear power plant, but it is too difficult to implement it. Nuclear power accounts for one-third of Germany's power generation. Turning off so many nuclear power plants means that Germany must find alternative energy, otherwise half of Germany's domestic industries will be in trouble. Fortunately, in 2011, the Nord Stream No. 1 natural gas pipeline was opened and used, which temporarily lasted for 10 years.
However, according to the promise of the German government, the remaining nine nuclear power plants will all be closed by 2022. In other words, there is only half a year left for Germany. Beixi No. 1 has been overloaded and there is no unnecessary potential to tap. Do you think Germany can't be in a hurry to Nord Stream 2?
So, you may ask, haven’t you said before, Germany has a lot of coal resources? Then why doesn’t Germany burn coal to generate electricity?
This is because Germany is a world-famous "green" country. Other major countries in the world, the first political correctness is definitely the national interest, while Germany's first political correctness is "environmental protection".
As we all know, thermal power pollution is relatively high. There are indeed many thermal power stations in Germany, but in order to reduce carbon emissions, to express their views to international environmental protection organizations, and to be an environmental pioneer within the EU, the Merkel government decided to shut down most thermal power stations in the country.
This operation is too fierce, and Germany has become the first and only country in the world to give up nuclear power and coal power at the same time.
Germany 17 nuclear power plants
After castrating the body, Germany did not have much hydraulic resources, so power generation had to rely entirely on new energy and Russian natural gas.
However, new energy is not very reliable. Especially wind and solar energy, it is very unstable and cannot generate much electricity in poor weather conditions.
In this way, Germany's electricity supply has become an industry that relies on the weather for its own income. It was like returning to the Middle Ages, and it felt like industrial and agriculturalization. Netizens even made up a joke about Germany: Germany lacks electricity but refuses to build nuclear power plants, so the profiteering businessman France built nuclear power plants on the French-German border and then sold electricity to Germany for use.
In this case, natural gas with less clean pollution and relatively stable supply has indeed become the lifeblood of Germany.
There are two major natural gas sellers in the world, one is Russia and the other is the United States.
In the eyes of outsiders, Germany is a member of NATO and is the traditional backbone of the Western camp, so he will definitely choose the natural gas of the United States. But in fact, Germany not only chose Russia, but also did not even want the anger of its ally the United States. Why is this?
On the surface, it is because the natural gas in the United States is twice as expensive as Russia. And the deeper reason is that Germany really doesn't want to hand over its lifeline to the United States. After all, the United States is already very powerful, with its troops placing on the European continent. If even the energy is to be controlled by the United States, then Germany will completely become the younger brother of the United States and will never turn around.If Germany wants to resist one day, the United States will just die. This is unacceptable to Germany.
And Russia looks fierce, but it is too poor. Compared with the United States, the threat is much smaller. The key is that Russia will never use energy to threaten Germany. If that happens, it will be himself who is unlucky. So at most, Nordic No. 2 is the lifeline of both sides. Russia has mastered Germany's energy lifeline, and Germany has also grasped Russia's money bag. To put it nicely, it is considered "deep strategic mutual trust."
Russia and Germany jointly built Beixi No. 2
Moreover, the two lines of Beixi, under overload operation, annual gas transmission can reach an astonishing 200 billion cubic meters, twice the total import volume of Germany now. Of course, it is not something that Germany can eat all of them. In fact, Russia's plan is to transport the natural gas sold to the entire Western Europe to Germany first, and then transfer it to other countries. Therefore, in the future, Germany will become the general agent of Russian natural gas in Europe. Germany can not only charge considerable tolls, but also determine who has more energy and who has less energy in other countries. In this way, it will have more political weights and voice within the EU.
is something like that, Russia is in a hurry to lack money and friends. In contrast, the United States will never give Germany so much natural gas to control European energy.
It can be said that for Germany, Nord Stream 2 is a lifeline that can affect the national destiny and even the fate of the EU. Its importance exceeds that of Germany-US relations, so it is so rare that it is so tough towards the United States.
However, Beixi No. 2 completed negotiations as early as 2014 and did not start construction until 2018. Why does such an important project take so long?
Because, the interference from within the EU is too great. Especially France, there are particularly concerns about Nord Stream II. The EU's leaders are Germany and France, whose strengths are manufacturing and economy, while France has strong military power. However, it is a peaceful era, and cannons cannot beat real money. So in terms of true strength and voice, Germany is much stronger than France. If Nord Stream 2 is available, Germany will be more powerful and even France's own natural gas will be controlled by Germany, so France will certainly not be happy.
So, the EU was ripped around, making Putin unhappy. Do you still remember what Putin said to Merkel at the beginning of the video? No matter how much you struggle or hide on your wedding night, you will never be able to escape from being so! On the surface, Putin is joking, but in fact, he is complaining to Merkel that no matter how hard you make, you still have to use my Russian natural gas. You should move faster.
So, Germany made a big move against France. He pulled France and signed an Aachen agreement with extremely explosive content. The full name of the agreement is the "Germany and France Treaty on Cooperation and Integration", the most important of which is "supporting the establishment of the European Defense Union ". In other words, putting aside the 1 US Army and establishing an independent European army, the defense of the entire European army will be borne by this European army. As for who will form this European army, given that the German army is currently a useless person and the French army is the strongest in Europe, then please Macron will bother you.
This trick suddenly hit France's "hip point", and France immediately changed its tone and supported Nord Stream 2.
On the other hand, Germany is responsible for dealing with France and other European countries. On the other hand, Russia also needs to compensate Ukraine, which jumped the most fiercely. He promised Ukraine that after the completion of Nord Stream 2, I will still transport gas through land pipelines, and your toll will be indispensable.
Just like that, both sides dealt with the opposition. Construction of Beixi No. 2 has started.
Nordic No. 2
However, Germany and Russia can handle their neighbors, but they can't do anything to the United States.
has talked so much, and it is not difficult for us to find that many parties can benefit from the Nord Stream 2 line, and of course the United States has suffered the biggest losses.Not only did he fail to seize Germany's life, but he might also let France and Germany take the opportunity to unify Europe and drive him and the United States out. And his old enemy, Russia, can also take the opportunity to calm down.
So, the United States began to exert its traditional skills, that is, sanctions.
On December 20, 2019, the then President of the United States, Trump announced that I will punish anyone who is responsible for building gas pipelines. Originally, the one who was responsible for the project was a Swiss company. When we saw that the gods fought, we mortals suffered a disaster, which was a disaster from heaven. So the company's feet were oiled and slipped away.
Beixi No. 2 was half repaired and stopped like that.
Russia saw that something was wrong. Forget it, I'd better go on it myself. Anyway, I've already carried a lot of sanctions on my body. I won't be afraid of itchy if there are too many lice. If the United States likes sanctions so much, it's up to you.
And Germany is also working hard to catch up with the progress. As of the beginning of 2021, the project has been completed by 95%, with only the last 100 kilometers left. Seeing that Nord Stream 2 is about to become a certain fact, the United States has finally made efforts at this last moment.
htmlOn December 28, US Secretary of State Blinken warned Germany in an interview, saying that Nord Stream II undermined the EU's principles of energy security and energy independence, posing a threat to Poland, Ukraine and other countries that the United States cares about. Germany's response was a rare toughness in decades. The German Foreign Minister said: Europe's energy policy should be decided by Europe, not the United States. Merkel has also made many statements: No matter what other EU countries think, Germany will firmly support Nord Stream II.
Things have developed to this point. Nord Stream 2 has evolved into a game between Germany and the United States for European dominance. Germany has only two results: loss and win.
After the US's diplomatic efforts failed, it was the turn of the chess piece to come on stage. With the United States' platform, Poland and Ukraine have jumped out to make trouble. Especially in Ukraine, if a war really breaks out, then Beixi 2 will definitely be yellow.
aerial photography of the Nordic Stream No. 2 project
During the Ukrainian conflict, a small country in Eastern Europe jumped out to fight a diplomatic war with Russia. But Germany not only did not say anything anti-Russian, but even pulled Ukraine with a backhand.
At that time, Zelensky shouted that joining NATO was the only way to solve the Donbas problem. Germany immediately stated: Ukraine's accession to NATO is not on our agenda.
Although most NATO countries cannot agree to Ukraine's joining NATO, there are really few who can say it so bluntly. It can be seen that Germany is really annoyed by Ukraine. Fortunately, at present, the chaos caused by Ukraine and Poland has been suppressed by Germany and Russia.
html In mid-to-late April, Russia said that Nord Stream 2 will be completed this summer, and Germany can receive the first batch of Russian natural gas through the pipeline as soon as this summer.
In other words, if the United States wants to continue to sabotage, there will only be two or three months left. So is the United States really willing to give up?
So far, we cannot rule out the possibility that the United States will use military force to destroy Nord Stream II. But in this way, Russia will inevitably stop it, and then there may be an armed conflict between Russia and NATO. Germany, the biggest beneficiary of Nord Stream II, was originally one of the core NATO. If he could withstand the pressure and take the lead in Russia, NATO would basically disintegrate.
So, before Beixi No. 2 is officially put into use, there will be more conflicts and conflicts, let us wait and see.
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