Ukraine border tension: Germany cuts off Russian Pipeline Project

Germany joined other European countries and the United States (US) on Tuesday in placing sanctions against Russia for recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Germany, accordingly, suspended the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, thus, cutting off  the 10-billion-euro project that has long been annoying other EU members, including the US.

Germany sustained the pipeline project to increase natural gas importation from Russia, in spite opposition from the US and Europe Union members.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Tuesday, requested approval to halt the pipeline project after the Russian President Putin announced the recognition of the independence of the two separatist regions in Ukraine. The action was coming at a time Europe is facing serious energy crisis that increased gas prices.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had declared: “That sounds technical, but it is the necessary administrative step so there can be no certification of the pipeline and certification, without this, Nord Stream 2 cannot begin operating.”

The US commended the action of Germany as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba declared it it “a morally, politically and practically correct step in the current circumstances”.