Save Nord Stream 2: Germany will have a hard time deciding on retaliatory sanctions

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Thunderclouds gather over Nord Stream 2. The US is preparing another pact of sanctions. In the Bundestag, Chancellor Merkel was called on to abandon the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia in connection with the murder of a Georgian citizen in Berlin last year, which our compatriot was accused of. Due to “personal circumstances”, the operating company Nord Stream 2 AG decided to leave its director Hennig Kote. Germany declares its readiness to protect this energy project from attacks, but is it really ready for this?

Berlin says they intend to give America an answer to sanctions against Nord Stream 2 at the European Union level. It sounds menacing, if you look, then in the end from this "roar" at the exit there can only be a "slurred whisper." What gives us reason to think so?



At first, about any pan-European sanctions against the United States can not be discussed in principle. Germany in this matter is hostage to the bureaucratic mechanisms of the EU, requiring unanimity. To imagine how, for example, Riga, Vilnius or Warsaw approve of any anti-American sanctions, is extremely difficult.

Add to this that specifically against Nord Stream-2 a broad coalition has formed, which includes not only Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, but also Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia. One vote against is enough to put an end to the "pan-European retaliatory measures" against the United States.

Secondly, causes great doubts and the readiness of Germany itself to lay breast on the embrasure for Gazprom. Yes, this gas pipeline is objectively beneficial to Berlin. The country is undergoing a "green revolution", it needs environmentally friendly fuel at a reasonable price. Yes, it’s in her interests to become a major regional gas hub, which will strengthen her economic influence on neighbors. But if you have to choose between Russian gas and access to the American market, then the choice will not be made in favor of Gazprom.

Germany has a powerful export-oriented economy. The US domestic market is critical for her, which is well understood in Washington. Using the example of an immeasurably more powerful China, President Trump has shown that he is ready to wage an exhausting trade war until victory. If Berlin imposes its national sanctions against the United States, they will respond much harsher.

It remains to wonder why, in general, in Germany brought up the topic of "otvetki" to the Americans?

The first thing that comes to mind is Chancellor Merkel’s attempt to save face. When European neighbors are guaranteed to bury her initiative for a consolidated response to Washington, she will be able to “turn the arrows” in the eyes of her constituents. And everyone understands this perfectly. There are practical considerations. The discussion on retaliatory restrictive measures may be the basis for a compromise between Berlin and Washington. Obviously, the United States will adopt a new set of expanded sanctions against Nord Stream-2. It is in Germany’s interests to withdraw from them its port business and other infrastructure, one way or another involved in the construction and maintenance of the Russian pipeline. Given the active position of the German partners, the Americans can meet them.

As a matter of fact, that’s the whole “formidable answer”, which may turn out in the end.
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  1. Sergey Latyshev
    Sergey Latyshev
    -1
    27 June 2020 12: 43
    Let us take an example. They will announce various empty-handed sanctions and be loudly saddened about the fate of the Amerov apple breeders, because of the sanctions that do not supply apples to Germany)))))
  2. steelmaker
    steelmaker
    0
    27 June 2020 14: 16
    The more articles about SP-2, Ukraine, Syria, the more visible the ignorance of our government and the thieving nature, in fact. And somewhere and venality. Because, even any normal person, doing something, always asks himself the question: "What's next?" If he is building a house, then - where, how, who and how much will it cost? After all, no one will build a house 100 km from the nearest store. And then politics! 100 steps forward everything must be thought out. To expel the Czechs - diplomats in response, it took two weeks to think! And what is most offensive and disgusting, for those who understand, there are no guilty ones. Bandera themselves suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Russians suddenly began to kill, about SP-2? Well, Putin and Miller did not know that they could get sanctions! You couldn't even think about it!

    To start any business - think about it.
    Go down the stairs and get to the top.
    All the way in the mind, since the mind and strength are enough,
    I felt firmness in my thoughts, then do this thing,
    you are on the right way.
    To live without mistakes, one must think far
    arm yourself with consideration and win any battle.
    Think for yourself, do not complicate your life
    and everything will be fine.
    1. monman
      monman
      -1
      28 June 2020 04: 07
      And here is the politics! 100 steps forward should be thought out!

      Today looked scary dock. 2018 movie - “When Siberia Will Be Chinese”

      https://www.amazon.com/When-Siberia-Will-Be-Chinese/dp/B079C5JRKY

      Terrible, because, having signed up to be a satellite of China, Russia fell into a alignment from which it was no longer possible to get out. The film shows interviews with Russian, Chinese businessmen, Russian politicians, scientists, bureaucrats, workers, both Chinese and Russian - the picture is dull for Russia. There is an open invasion of China in Russia. The Russian-Chinese company cutting down forests in Siberia and the Far East is well known. Her name is known - neither the level of business, profit, financial activity - everything is hidden. And the thought of one Russian scientist clearly explains why Russia doesn’t think beyond 100 steps - everything is tied to short-term successes / profits, no one is involved in the country for 10-15 years of investing and making profits in the country, including Putin - it is not profitable. It is disadvantageous for the simple reason that oligarchs do not know how many years they can be prosperous and when they can be swept away. Including the president.
      Therefore, we need to row grandmas now. In the film, one Far Eastern leader noted that the longer the project, the lower the percentage of completion - and nothing was punished. Of the project for 10 years in 10 years, 27% has been mastered, 3% of the project for 90 years.
      In short - learn Chinese, they learn Russian very successfully.
  3. Sidor sidorini
    Sidor sidorini
    +2
    27 June 2020 16: 59
    How would the United States not to overtake the struggle for wear. Apparently, US affairs are not as good as one might imagine.
    The main thing is that Russia choose the right path.
  4. Wanderer039
    Wanderer039
    +2
    27 June 2020 18: 37
    Sooner or later, Germany will have to make a choice between independent politics, access to the Russian and Chinese markets and, in fact, the US occupation, which will sometimes throw Germans crumbs from their table, but milk more and feed Germany less. Well, Russia in this situation needs to seriously think about introducing serious sanctions against the United States and the Czech Republic.
    1. Natan bruk
      Natan bruk
      -1
      27 June 2020 19: 58
      That's right, you give sanctions against the USA! Prohibit Americans from keeping money in Russian banks, forbid them to be treated in Russian hospitals and teach their children in Russian universities! That's how they howl!