In 2019, I explained some of the Russian "North Stream 2" line. Some netizens asked me if this line can be built? The "North Stream 2" line was built again next to "North Stream 1" in order to solve the energy crisis in 2011. This energy line is jointly developed by Russian natural gas giant Gazprom and five European companies, mainly solving the problem of natural gas energy shortage in some European countries. It was once called the "lifeline" of the Russian economy. According to data, Germany is the main country to receive Gazprom.
Since Germany abandoned nuclear energy, there has been a lot of energy demand. However, due to the constant wars in the Middle East, energy from the Middle East cannot protect Germany for a long time. Therefore, Germany thought of Russia. There was a "Beixi No. 1" line before, but now it can no longer carry the energy supply task, so "Beixi No. 2" is put on the agenda.
"North Stream 2" line costs US$9.5 billion, and it is said that Russian natural gas company is the major shareholder and bears half of the cost. It can be seen that Russia has invested a lot in this project. In November 2019, the construction of the "Beixi 2" line was coming to an end and was basically completed. But in December 2019, the United States suddenly announced the "National Defense Authorization Act" to sanction companies participating in the "North Stream Line 2", including measures such as prohibiting companies from traveling to the United States. By December 2019, most of the related companies involved in the construction were forced to withdraw under pressure from the United States, and "North Stream 2" fell to a standstill.
In March 2021, after Biden took office, he once again suppressed the "North Stream Line 2" and threatened Germany to withdraw from the "North Stream Line 2", otherwise he would sanction Germany.
Russia and Germany responded
Germany is extremely dissatisfied with the United States' arbitrarily blocking the "North Stream 2" line, believing that the United States interferes in its internal affairs. Therefore, since 2019, the relationship between the United States and Germany has been very delicate. The United States announced the withdrawal of troops from Germany and Germany was dissatisfied with the deployment of nuclear weapons by the United States. The outside world believes that Germany wants to "get rid of the United States". In fact, Germany is in a hurry. If there is no Russian gas inlet, it will be difficult for Germany to ensure energy. Although the United States promises to sell natural gas to Germany, everyone knows that it is sky-high natural gas.
Germany's tone of opposition to the United States is getting harder and harder, and the German people are also dissatisfied with the United States. But Germany will not give up the Nord Stream 2 line because Germany needs Russian gas. It is precisely because the United States encouraged Ukraine to confront Russia and launched NATO to expand eastward, which blocked the land energy supply line and could only be carried out from the sea.
According to foreign media information, Germany, from Merkel to German politicians, all firmly oppose the US interference, and Germany continues to maintain communication with Russia because this energy line is a line of people's livelihood and has not affected the United States. But the United States believes that Germany's move undermines the agreement between Western countries to jointly impose sanctions on Russia.
Russia is not afraid of the sanctions imposed by the United States. Putin repeatedly stated that Russia will ensure the official operation of the "North Stream 2" line. Russia understands the means of the United States suppressing Russia. But Russia is not having a good life now, and it is urgently needed to earn foreign exchange from developed countries such as Germany.
Russia has also strengthened its contacts with Germany, but half a year has passed, and the "North Stream 2" line still cannot be officially operated. Because the companies participating in the project quit, they are afraid of US sanctions. Russia is angry and hates the United States, but it can only watch.
American Domineering
"North Stream 2" line passes through the Baltic Sea. It is logically not related to the United States. Why does the United States oppose it so domineeringly?
In fact, we said in the previous article that the United States’ opposition is that Germany allows Russia to earn foreign exchange through energy trade with Russia, and restore Russia’s vitality. Originally, after the Crimea referendum returned to Russia in 2014, the United States brought some European countries to impose sanctions on Russia, including trade and other aspects. The United States believes that Germany violated the sanctions order by doing so.
The United States also believes that sanctions against Russia are to prevent Russian energy from selling and collapse of Russia's economy, but doing so is obviously unrealistic and it is just the domineering of the United States.
The United States did too much damage to block the Nord Stream 2 project. During the construction process, the United States did not block too much, but just warned. But when this line was completed and was about to be officially started, the United States took action and sanctioned related companies. Those companies involved in the construction are afraid of US sanctions. Because U.S. sanctions involve these businesses' global operations, they have to withdraw from the project.
See if the United States is damaged or not. If the "North Stream 2 Project" cannot be operated, the huge maintenance fee per year will make Russia uncomfortable. If it is not used for a long time, the pipeline will inevitably be corroded. If it is really impossible to operate, the money invested by Russia will be wasted. European countries are also damaged.
There is another reason why the United States is domineering, which has not been mentioned by the outside world. Because the "North Stream 2" line runs through the Baltic Sea, and the coastal countries are all NATO countries. Although Baltic State did not make any comments during the construction process, if this energy line is completed, can Russia control the Baltic Sea by maintaining line safety? This may be the other concern of the United States. If that happens, any military action of NATO warships in the Baltic Sea can be regarded as a threat by Russia, and Russia may strike. Can
be enabled?
"Beixi No. 2" line has been suspended for two years. Can this energy line be officially operated? Although Russia has repeatedly claimed to officially operate this route, Germany also said it is not afraid of the United States' blockade and must ensure the operation of "North Stream 2". But it is still far from real operation at present.
If Russia forces operations, it is hard to say whether Germany can follow up. The most important thing is that the participating companies must do the final work well. Although Russia has the ability to complete the work before the operation, how will the United States stop it?
If the "North Stream 2 Project" is officially operated under the leadership of Russia, how will the United States stop it? It is not ruled out that the United States uses NATO troops to destroy the Nord Stream 2 line in the Baltic Sea. If it is destroyed, it will rise to a state of war. Because destroying a country's energy supply line is no different from invading this country.
Russia will inevitably stop the destruction of the United States. Therefore, Russia and NATO countries will have a risk of war. But Russia has Baltic Fleet as a backing, and is not afraid of NATO countries to sabotage. Perhaps this is also a struggle for Russia to break the deadlock and take the opportunity to deal with those small American followers. Therefore, Russia's official operation claims will definitely be actively promoted, but now Russia still has a lot to do, the fight against the epidemic has not ended, and there are still some domestic problems that need to be dealt with.
Russia is not afraid of the damage from the United States, but the "North Stream 2" line brings too great risks. is both a dividing line between Europe and the United States, but may become a "line of war".
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