US Bill Would Level Sanctions on NS 2 Supporters

Perhaps in an effort to walk back US president Donald Trump’s heavily-criticised “summit” with Russian president Vladimir Putin on July 16, Republican Senators on July 18 introduced a bill that would impose sanctions on entities involved in the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline designed to carry Russian natural gas to Germany.

The bill, introduced by Republican senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, also urges the US Department of Energy (DoE) to speed up approvals of LNG exports to Europe, where Russia has long-dominated natural gas trade. Both initiatives, Barrasso said, are intended to increase the national security of the US and its Nato allies.

“It is in the national security interests of our country to help our allies reduce their dependence on Russian energy,” Barrasso said on the senate floor. “Where those countries don't see it for themselves, we need to show them how important it is for their own security.”

Under the legislation, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, a former Texas senator and now the US permanent representative to Nato, will encourage Nato members to work with the US to “achieve energy security for its members and partners in Europe and Eurasia.”

Trump was highly-critical of NS 2 during his trip to Brussels last week to meet leaders of Nato’s member countries. During those meetings, he used his favourite social media channel, Twitter, to blast the pipeline and gas trade between Russia and Germany: “What good is Nato if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The US is paying for Europe’s protection, then loses billions on trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.”

Later, at a joint press conference with UK prime minister Theresa May at her country residence ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump continued his criticism of the pipeline, saying it was “horrific” to see billions of dollars flowing “primarily from Germany” into Russian coffers.

“It is the sense of Congress that [US] and other Nato member countries should explore ways to ensure that Nato member countries diversify their energy supplies and routes in order to enhance their energy security, including through the development of a transatlantic energy strategy,” the bill reads.

And in a statement issued July 18 after the bill’s introduction, Barrasso said Putin uses Russia’s natural gas strength to “extort and threaten” US allies.

The legislation “will take this geopolitical weapon away from Russia by sanctioning the [Nord Stream 2] gas pipeline and facilitating the export of more American natural gas to our allies,” Barrasso said. “With an abundance of natural gas in the [US], it’s time we use American energy resources to give our allies lasting and dependable energy security.”