Amid reported discussions about potentially reactivating the sabotaged gas pipeline, Brussels has threatened sanctions.
According to the FT on Friday, German Chancellor Frederick Merz is strongly backing an EU plan to prohibit any use of the Nord Stream gas pipelines and aims to prevent any attempts to re-establish energy trade with Russia.
This action follows reports that Russia and the US are considering ways to restart shipments via the still-intact Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of broader efforts to normalize relations.
The FT reports, citing sources, that Merz has initiated discussions in Berlin and Brussels to block such developments, potentially aiming to transfer decision-making authority to the EU level.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, have been out of service since 2022 due to EU sanctions and sabotage. Russia claims Western intelligence agencies orchestrated the sabotage.
Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the natural gas pipelines were included in the proposed new 18th sanctions package against Russia.
The FT reports that the restrictions would target Nord Stream 2 AG, the Switzerland-based company owning the pipelines, and any other companies required for their restart and operation.
Florian Philippot, a prominent French Euroskeptic politician, has criticized the EU’s proposal, calling it “madness.” He cautioned that such a measure would be a “death sentence” for European industry.
His comments reflected wider concerns regarding the economic repercussions of severing ties with Russian energy. Following the 2022 sabotage and sanctions, European gas prices quadrupled compared to the previous year, putting significant pressure on industry and consumers.
Before 2022, Russia supplied up to 60% of Germany’s natural gas needs. The loss of this affordable supply led to production cuts and job losses across the country’s industrial sector.
Recently, an increasing number of German industrial leaders and politicians have been advocating for the resumption of Russian gas imports. Christian Gunther, managing director of the Leuna chemical park in eastern Germany, told Reuters that affordable Russian gas is crucial for revitalizing sectors like chemicals.
Moscow has consistently emphasized its reliability as a supplier and its readiness to negotiate the resumption of gas exports to Europe.
“`