Senators’ bill would impose Nord Stream 2 sanctions

May 15, 2019
US Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have introduced a bill on May 14 that would impose targeted sanctions against vessels involved in constructing the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and other Russian energy projects.

US Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have introduced a bill on May 14 that would impose targeted sanctions against vessels involved in constructing the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and other Russian energy projects.

“Nord Stream 2 threatens Europe’s energy security and America’s national security,” said Cruz. “The United States simply cannot allow Russia to dominate Europe’s energy future.”

Shaheen said, “Unfortunately, [Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin] is dangling the prospect of cheap gas in front of some of our closest allies to monopolize the supply of energy in Europe and bring increased instability to the continent.”

She warned, “This pipeline has the tremendous potential to compromise energy security throughout the continent for decades.”

Their action came hours after Tass, Russia’s official news agency, quoted Gazprom Deputy Chairman Vitaly Markelov saying that only 40 km remains to be built of the 800-km Russian portion of the proposed pipeline from Russia beneath the Baltic Sea to Germany.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].