Posted on 02/27/2021 1:23:27 PM PST by Mariner
A briefing between the State Department and congressional staff over Vladimir Putin's Russia-Germany gas pipeline got tense this week, with Biden officials deflecting questions about why they hadn't moved faster and more aggressively with sanctions to stop its completion.
The Biden officials also denied negotiating with the Germans over a potential side deal to allow the pipeline to be finished.
Why it matters: As we reported earlier this week, some allies are worried that Biden is shaky on Putin's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and the fight is a significant test of whether the new president's tough rhetoric against Russia will be matched by action.
Russian opponents, including top officials in the Ukrainian and Polish governments, worry that Biden doesn't want to antagonize Angela Merkel and won't inflict serious costs on the Germans.
And members of Congress — both Republicans and Democrats — were underwhelmed by a report that the Biden State Department recently sent to Congress, which only targeted one Russian ship for sanctions. The Trump administration had already sanctioned that ship, the Fortuna.
Behind the scenes: The first call between the senior State Department officials and Republican and Democratic national security staffers from the House and Senate happened on Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Yeah, I'm trying to figure out whose palms are being greased.
Just make Biden believe it’s a Canadian pipeline — he’ll shut it down yesterday!
How many NATO countries do you want addicted to Russian oil & gas?
Yes and no. If NATO had to move against Russia or any of its allies, the first thing Russia would do is stop the flow of gas. Probably none of our business but why is slow demented jackass Joe so concerned about this pipeline, yet closes down Keystone for no good reason? Joe is a senile old fart, masquerading as president.
It’s the flip side of the NATO coin.
Have NATO = no pipeline.
No NATO = have pipeline.
From the silly PR stunt of sending NATO troops to Iraq I assume the basic facts will be ignored.
“How many NATO countries do you want addicted to Russian oil & gas?”
Who cares?
We just need to get out of NATO. No US interest is served there either.
They speak as if Biden has a say in the matter.
For answers to this and other questions about policy, refer to Obama’s two terms. It is he and his coven that are running the show for Pedo Joe.
It does, because these countries will be buying Russian oil and gas.
Russia has huge reserves, I think even more than we do, but they weren’t very efficient and they were also prevented from getting in on the deal by various legal restrictions.
We have a lot and we’re efficient, but the Dems are not letting the US (and Canada) use this capacity. Instead, they’re letting the rest of the world take it over.
I hope we don’t end up having to buy gas from Russia, piped in through Alaska via a Russian pipeline.
I have nothing against the Russians, btw, or even Putin, since he’s very Russian and very nationalistic and difficult and in league with some not so nice people. But this is (commercial) war, and we need to defend our industry and that of our hydrocarbon allies in Northern Europe, such as England and the Scandinavian countries. who all have oil rigs in the North Sea.
I agree and second.
Rather than giving us comprehensive, new ideas, the GOP seems to stupidly take up any short-term position that seems to be the opposite of Biden/Democrats.
Everything “Russia” seems to be exactly that. How about some longer term goals, explained on a rational and moral basis?
The deep-state attempt to maintain “the empire” is going to bankrupt this country and destroy our Republic.
I guess the Germans need the gas because their Green Energy Program has been so successful in meeting their energy needs?
Germany has been buying Russia gas since the 1980’s & wants it now.
We are just sanctioning ourselves and pushing Germany towards Russia & China. About as stupid as can be.
ROFL :-)
“I hope we don’t end up having to buy gas from Russia, piped in through Alaska via a Russian pipeline.”
That’ll be the day... the Democrats agreei g to a pipeline. Thats only slightly more odious that building nuke plants in their playbook. They’ll agree to move LNG on Warren Buffet’s rail cars before they build a pipeline.
“I hope we don’t end up having to buy gas from Russia, piped in through Alaska via a Russian pipeline.”
That’ll be the day... the Democrats agreei g to a pipeline. Thats only slightly more odious that building nuke plants in their playbook. They’ll agree to move LNG on Warren Buffet’s rail cars before they build a pipeline.
I really sincerely believe that Biden is not making any decisions what so ever. Not even about his bed time.
The west coast can heat with electricity from all those coal fired plants China is building. Although there will be a lot of line loss in those cables. /s
“The deep-state attempt to maintain “the empire” is going to bankrupt this country and destroy our Republic.”
No doubt about it.
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