European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has criticized the US sanctions against European companies entered for the Nord Stream pipeline 2, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel.
Although the project "also has a political dimension", the European Commission will use all its resources to protect the interests of the Eastern countries of the EU.
"the EU Commission is strongly opposed to sanctions against European companies that are involved in projects in accordance with the legal provisions," said von der Leyen.
the publication said that the Russian pipe-laying vessel "Akademik Chersky" - the only ship that can complete the construction of the "Nord stream – 2".
he is currently located in the far Eastern port of Nakhodka in the Japanese sea. Russian pipelay will take several weeks to be in Europe. In addition, the ship needs to be provided with essential equipment. Russian analysts expect additional costs in the amount of from two to three million dollars.
we will Remind, on December 21 the President of the United States Donald trump signed the bill on the defense budget for fiscal year 2020 in the amount of 738 billion dollars, which provides for sanctions against the gas pipeline "Nord stream-2" and "Turkish stream".
the document indicated that the reason for the restrictions is "protecting the European energy security." In connection with US sanctions by the Swiss company Allseas Group SA — laying vessel "Nord stream-2" — stopped work and withdrew from the Baltic sea and their ships engaged in the laying of the pipeline.
