Posted on 11/19/2019 7:34:15 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
This is one of the tangible reasons Ukraine was a hot issue in the 2016 election.
“Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas), who is among the more outspoken critics of Nord Stream 2”
Lyin’ Ted just can’t shake his Neocon roots.
And It’s EUROPE that wants this pipeline most of all.
There’s no reasonable way to stop it, and its construction is in the best strategic interests of Europe.
Drill here, drill now, drill there, pipe it everywhere, the more energy sloshing around the globe the better...and the cheaper.
Ironic though that Europe won’t frack but will allow this.
Sanctions? What gives us the right to stop the pipeline?
If Germany wants Russian gas, that’s their business.
OTOH, let’s pull our troops out of Germany and let the Krauts fend for themselves.
Can someone please explain how this pipeline threatens the US? Or is Cruz shilling for higher natural gas prices?
“Time is running out to stop Nord Stream 2,” Cruz said in a statement to RFE/RL in October. “In a few short months, Russia will have completed its natural gas pipeline – putting President [Vladimir] Putin in a position to further expand his military, exploit our European allies, and threaten U.S. energy security.”
Would any company not government sponsored want to own and operate a Ukrainian pipeline?
I’ve watched this with interest. I don’t know that we can do much at all to stop it. Europe is totally dependent on Russian natgas. With Germany set to shut down all of its nuclear energy, and now shutting down its wind farms, they will need that much more from Russia.
In addition to this, Israel has the Leviathan project in conjunction with Cyprus. They will be running natgas from offshore Israel into Greece and Italy via Cyprus. This puts some perspective on why Russia is so keen to have a massive military presence in Syria and use of its warm water ports. It is also partly why Turkey has turned hostile. They wanted the pipeline to run through their territory. But also because Turkey, a NATO member, sees itself as a player in the Muslim world more than in Europe - and Europe refused to admit Turkey into any EU political or economic projects. So Turkey also feels pushed away.
It seems to me that while Russia is still a bit of an adversary, all in the west would be better off trying to make them an ally. They are basically European people. NATO has them in check big time. We should be trying to bring Russia closer, not push them into the arms of China. But, Russia still has imperialistic ambitions held over from the USSR days. Working to close that gap, accept them as a competitor and deal them into some of the major international projects on a cooperative basis would, IMO, in the long run work out better than the current situation. But you can thank the Democrats and all the deep state holdovers. They have boxed Trump in from thawing relations in any way.
The original poster does not answer direct challenges to their propaganda.
Gee how about sanctioning Germany for buying Russian gas...
Seems like Ukraine picked the WRONG SIDE for our 2016 election. So, tough crap, Russia is sick of them stealing their gas.
This is none of our business. We should stay out of it entirely.
L
Why does Germany want to import gas? It’s my impression that Germany considers fossil fuels to be evil, that they contribute to global climate change and that Germany wants to transition to renewable energy.
(1) Why does Russia NOT have the right to build a pipeline under the Baltic Sea -- far from Ukraine? And why must Congress pass 'sanctions' over it?
(2) What the heck does any of this have to do with the United States? We have our own massive gas reserves. If Europe does not, and needs to import it, isn't that EUROPE'S problem?
I have no idea how the question of the legitimate commerce relates to the presence of US troops in Germany.
That’s apples and oranges.
But US government otsructing legit commerce curbing Germany’s economy big time is an act provoking understandable anti-American sentiments there.
It is not Cruz’s business what Germans buy and from whom. Not American business.
As for US troops in Germany it is not something the Germans asked for and proud of. It is an occupying force in the first place which stayed there after WWII.
It is an exclusive matter of American consideration but the Germans certainly won’t miss the IS forces.
Another important moment is that just recently German Bundestag voted to overrule all limitations put by the EU on Nord Stream II. It is a project between Russia and Germany. It is none of Washington’s or Brussel’s business at all.
If Cruz and unelected EU bureaucrats believe the deal is bad for Ukraine obstructing its extortion racket over Russian gas transit to Europe why won’t they cry a river?
They say Russian influence is bad for Ukraine and there is European choice. Tell me at least one reason why the Russian energy companies need this? If Ukraine want Western choice they need to pay for themselves and let Cruz and his EU pals open their wallets.
There is no legit way to force Russia and Germany use Ukraine as an intermediary.
No legit way.
Although I understand it hurts DC kids on boards of Ukrainian energy companies. Too bad.
The whole Ukrainian-Russian situation resemble the relations between an aging trophy wife with a generous husband who has fallen on hard times. She is throwing tantrums and trying to screw around but nobody wants her beyond one-night stand and she extorts the husband to support her while continuing her amoral behavior.
Wow. All legit questions and of course everybody with half a brain know the right answers.
The Europeans have no live with Russia. We don’t.
Germans are grateful to Russia for consenting to reunification of their country.
Any US sanctions are DOA. The US has no authority to order the EU to enforce US laws.
Then again, America is not a potential Russian gas customer but a commercial rival.
And this measure is aimed at protecting US commercial interests.
There must be a lot of politicians that are worried that they won’t get any kickbacks from the Ukraine anymore once the billions in gas transit fees dry up.
I have no objection against legit economic rivalry but US gas producers need to compete using legit methods. Right now they don’t have capacity to supply US with natural gas much less Europe. And everything they have to offer is at least 50% more expensive and the offer is miniscule.
They build LNG infrastructure in Europe and US but don’t have the gas to sell in reasonable volume and for reasonable price. It is in fact Russian companies who are using this infrastructure now to deliver LNG both to US and Europe on top of pipeline deliveries.
That’s some nice monkey business there.
If there is bipartisan support on stopping the Nord pipeline, why doesn’t the House take a break from the impeachment circus and send a bill to the Senate that would stop the pipeline?
While they are at it, the House should move the Mexico/Canada trade bill as that too is good for our USA.
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