Washington U-turns on NordStream 2 AG sanctions
Blinken waives sanctions against Swiss-based Nord Stream 2AG and its CEO.
Joe Biden’s administration has U-turned on sanctions imposed on Nord Stream 2AG and its CEO, Matthias Warnig, even though the State Department acknowledges the company has engaged in sanctionable activity involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
“I have determined that it is in the national interest of the United States to waive the application of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, its CEO Matthias Warnig, and Nord Stream 2 AG’s corporate officers,” said U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in a statement Wednesday.
“We will continue to oppose the completion of this project, which would weaken European energy security and that of Ukraine and Eastern flank NATO and EU countries. Our opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is unwavering.”
Blinken added that the US has sanctioned nine more ships from Russia’s Marine Rescue Service, which it alleges are involved in the final stages of the pipeline’s construction in the Baltic.
