Posted on 12/19/2019 12:51:44 AM PST by NorseViking
Declared by the us Congress the sanctions against the "Nord stream — 2" pipeline has caused a sudden and unanimous condemnation on part of the officials of Germany and the German public. First responded the foreign Minister of Germany Heiko Maas, who categorically rejected foreign intervention and sanctions. According to him, the energy policy of Europe is determined in Europe and not in USA. The decision of the Congress was criticized by the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. She said in the Bundestag that the German government does not accept the extraterritorial sanctions.
The governor on coastal Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Manuela Sweig said that sanctions are intended to push into the European market the inferior overpriced US shale gas produced by environmentally dangerous method of fracking. The entire German press actively quoted a statement by the press Secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov who openly accused the US lawmakers of violating international law and unfair competition.
According to the politicians and specialists, despite the American sanctions, the gas pipeline "Nord stream — 2" will be built, though with probable delays. The remaining 200 miles can be laid in the next 30 days — even before the sanctions act will enter into force. The work of Swiss-Dutch pipelayer "Ollis" (Allseas) is threatened by US sanctions the most.
Another and more serious complication for Germany is the imminent shortage of gasoline and aviation fuel because the nation's major oil refinery in Schwedt (Brandenburg) belongs to a Russian energy giant Rosneft targeted by US sanctions as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at inosmi.ru ...
— The fact that the sanctions are a part in the US defense bill it is virtually a declaration of war on Russia and Germany. The absolute hypocrisy is the title of the sanctions: "energy security of Europe."
— Europeans see who are fueling the current conflict. Out of pure selfishness (to sell their overpriced gas), the United States imposed sanctions against Russian companies. American lawmakers use all its powers to break international rules and to create an unlawful competitive advantage at the expense of European consumers. They don't care about Europe, they only care about their corrupt vested interests.
— The sanctions clearly show that the Americans want to sell their expensive gas at any price, they simply ignore the Atlantic solidarity.
— The main purpose of sanctions is to inflict economic damage to Russia and Germany and it is backed by deadbeat Eastern European nations like Poland and Baltic states frustrated over the fact that they can't have a finger in a gas "pie" anymore. The biggest loser is Ukraine that has discredited itself as a transit country, stealing the gas for itself.
— The Germans want Russian gas to comes directly to Germany, bypassing Poland and Ukraine. The Germans were tired of Polish intrigue and Ukrainian thievery and they don't want to pay for additional transit costs.
— Europe should introduce counter-sanctions, but it needs to start with overcoming the dependence on the US. Complaining and issuing empty threats at US is wussy. But the Europeans could take measures — for example, to sell European export only in euros and to buy oil and gas for euros. Also to force European governments to impose a ban to purchase American weapons.
— Would be nice as a counter to close the American air base in German Ramstein. Turkish President Erdogan threatened to close the American base in Incirlik, already shows Europeans it can be done.
— Unfortunately, in Germany many politicians like Angela Merkel, who are all softened and smooth down the sharp corners. Feckless in face of American meddling Frau Merkel lets down the whole of Europe. However, the European bureaucrats in Brussels are no better, they don't respond to challenges and demonstrate the political weakness of the European Union. The EU is powerless because Poland and Baltic States block any rapprochement with Russia.
— The Russians are right once again: the United States is violating international law.
— What do you allow yourself the US? Why the hell are we Europeans do business with them? Partners who shout "America uber alles" we don't need.
Americans break the laws of market competition, offering gas at a price more expensive than Russian. And after successful completion of the project "Northern stream — 2" will lead to a significant reduction in price of energy in Europe.
— Calculation of the Americans is clear: the only way to sell their expensive shale gas, besides delivered in liquefied form to Europe is to exert political pressure on the Russian gas projects. There is a classic example of imperialism. USA shows its true colors! Those who still believe in good friend across the Atlantic are deeply mistaken.
— Germans are wondering would US impose sanctions against the ex-Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder, who serves on the Board of Russian oil and gas companies? The ban on entering the USA Schroeder couldn't care less however frozen assets of the sanctioned companies are likely to get stolen by the US government to cover huge debts.
— The Americans are struggling with the "Northern stream — 2" for a long time, the process began under Barack Obama. Do not forget that sanctions are imposed against the "Turkish stream." These sanctions are illegal, because not based on the UN Charter.
— The only way to resist America is to create a United States of Europe! Only a strong Europe can be a sovereign player on the world stage.
Especially impudently behaves, the American Ambassador in Berlin Richard Grenell. He constantly interferes in the internal Affairs of Germany gives instructions on how to behave, obviously, taking the Germans for fools.
It is difficult to counter US policies, they know everything about German politicians, their families and friends. Spying on German politicians, they apply extraterritorial law in a foreign country.
— A positive thing in this whole sanctions story is that America is losing credibility all over the world.
Readers of the German media have noted the growing aggressiveness and arrogance on the part of America that acts as "world police." In recent years the US has increasingly used sanctions and judicial mechanisms to exert pressure on other countries. To the fullest launched the so-called "judicial imperialism" that suggests the global financial jurisdiction of the United States and the spread of American rights to trade and political sphere in the world. This practice went today to a new level and threatens the state sovereignty of other countries, including close allies of America.
Examples of extraterritorial law of the United States are numerous and sanctions against the "Nord stream — 2" is just the latest such case. Thus the U.S. refuses to recognize the supremacy of international law and use only their own domestic laws unlawfully applying it elsewhere. It annoys almost all countries — from China to Germany.
It seems like US government is acting as if international law doesn't exist. The concept of sovereignty apply only to US, while the rest of the world is divided into "vassals" and "other state", which rein through sanctions or "color" revolutions. According to European readers, the answer to "judicial imperialism" of the United States may be one to recognize the unconditional supremacy of international law.
The article above is the research of public opinion in German-speaking countries on the issue.
You have to get to the third paragraph to realize they’re talking about a natural gas pipeline
Yep, but it is a European article and everyone in Europe knows what NS2 is.
So if they want to buy gas from Russia with this pipeline why do we need nato. I think that’s the reasoning for the sanctions. We are spending our money protecting their worthless asses and get nothing back while we run our deficit to 22 trillion. Let them have their pipeline and let’s build a base in Poland or bring them all home. Kind of shitty of Germany since we defend them To bitch and whine. This just proves nato is not necessary.
True. Merkel was the East German commie propaganda minister before reunification. I recall Berlin in 69 after I was released from Army hospitals. The river between the two German countries had east German patrol boats come within 12 feet of us and they had their AK’s out.
Poland is totally depended on Germany through EU development programs economically.
Well, disregarding this Russian propaganda piece, the core point is correct... the bilateral natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany is the business of Germany and Russia. It’s no more our business to try to exert veto power over THEIR pipelines than it is the business of countries other than Canada and the US to try to veto OUR North American pipelines.
Ronald Reagan imposed the same pipeline sanctions against the former USSR in 1981, after the USSR cracked down on democracy related riots in Poland.
And no overtones of Molotov-Ribbentrop at all, of course.
And no overtones of Molotov-Ribbentrop at all, of course.
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Sorry, totally FALSE analogy. This pipeline intentionally avoids involvement with either Poland and Ukraine. But nice try.
The point being?
Total control of the gas by the two parties, which has already been used as an economic weapon. And an attempt to shut the USA out.
Please demonstrate how the analogy is false, instead of resorting to ad lapidem.
There is no total control. That’s a direct link between a producer and a consumer. Nobody cuts others from the existing infrastructure. The intermediaries are losing their transit monopoly though.
And above all Poland and Baltic states has LNG terminals to get gas by sea from anywhere they wish, US included. Ukraine might get its gas from Poland as well.
Nobody gets frozen even if Russia and Germany want it although the idea is laughable.
“Total control of the gas by the two parties,”
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Yes...kind of like total American-Canadian control of the gas piped between our two countries. This is as it should be between two sovereign countries like the US and Canada or like Russia and Germany.
With all due respect, you contradicted yourself. The intermediate countries are themselves customers and not merely transit hosts.
Russia’s already cut off the gas to former eastern bloc countries; the side effect was that Germany got cut off too, but NS2 prevents that now.
And of course, the raging TDS among Germany’s leadership is accelerating the desire for a gas link like this.
There is no contradiction. Yep, they are consumers and to sell them gas brings Russia profit given the supplies are paid for. That is why nobody is going to lock the valve.
The situation you are talking about was caused by Ukrainian non-payment but the valve wasn’t locked.
When you have an intermediary in such business who are also a customer there are peculiarities.
Let’s say Germany consumes X volume and Ukraine Z volume.
It order to deliver down the pipe Russia pumps into Ukraine X+Z with Ukraine withdrawing Z and X gets by to Germany.
In case of non-payment crisis Russia pumps X volume into Ukraine and expects it to flow directly to Germany. In real life Germany gets X minus Z because Ukraine still withdraws the gas based on ‘necessity’.
At the end Germany doesn’t get its gas it paid for and Russia doesn’t get paid for service de-facto delivered. And Ukraine sent both a bill for transit fees.
With all the respect to Ukraine being poor and in need it doesn’t make this situation right.
That alone justifies direct link.
See post #17.
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