Posted on 06/26/2021 10:42:07 AM PDT by elpadre
The United States and Germany want to compensate Ukraine for losses after the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Bloomberg reports citing sources.
The agreement, which some officials hope to have ready for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Washington next month, could see the countries commit to bolstering Ukrainian infrastructure and compensating it for transit fees that will be lost because the pipeline bypasses the country. Germany may also commit to supporting the “Three Seas” plan to boost Eastern European cooperation on energy and transportation.
Possible options for a deal were spelled out by several people familiar with the negotiations, all of whom asked not to be identified detailing private discussions. Even if the elements hold, the outcry from members of the U.S. Congress could be fierce because such an agreement would be similar to proposals that have failed to deter Russia in the past.
Opponents of Nord Stream 2 argue that by sending Russian gas directly to Germany, the pipeline will give Moscow greater leverage over European national security. After initially suggesting it would try to halt construction of the pipeline, the Biden administration shifted tack in recent weeks, saying that doing so would be a long shot because it’s already 90% complete. Instead, officials said, they would work with Germany and other allies to reduce the pipeline’s impact.
Discussions about a deal are going on between the State Department and Germany’s foreign ministry, with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Merkel’s foreign and security adviser, Jan Hecker, deeply involved.
Sullivan and Hecker met on June 2, when experts from both sides discussed the risks Nord Stream 2 “poses to Ukraine and European energy security,” U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement at the time.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the two sides were talking about ways to “ensure that Russia cannot use energy as a coercive tool directed at Ukraine or anyone else.”
“We’re determined to see if we can make something positive out of a difficult situation that we inherited,” Blinken said, adding that the U.S. wants to “do what we can to make sure that the end result is that Europe’s energy security is not undermined – in fact, it’s strengthened; that Ukraine’s position is not weakened, that it’s actually reinforced.”
Among ideas the two sides have discussed are investment to help Ukraine build its own power plants and plans to boost the sale of synthetic, or green, gas from Ukraine. Germany has also signaled its willingness to enter talks with Russia on extending transit quotas for Ukraine, which would lengthen the time Russian gas would be contractually required to flow through the eastern European nation.
One contentious idea is creating a “snapback” mechanism to halt the flow of gas through Nord Stream 2 if Russia seeks to coerce Ukraine.
How about returning to the Trump energy program, stop the Nord Stream pipeline, and selling natural gas to Europe to pay off the national debt??? I think that was the Trump vision.
I’m sure there won’t be any corruption here
” USA and Germany plan to compensate Ukraine’s losses due to Nord Stream 2”
Hell, while we’re at it lets pay Mexico and the other Central and South American counties for the revenue they lost because of all of their illegal drugs we are seizing?
The Democrats just can't stop lying. They didn't inherit the situation. They encouraged and sanctioned the completion of Nord Stream 2 with full knowledge that they were helping Russia and making Germany more dependent on Russian gas. The Biden team have also taken multiple steps to increase the price of oil which also helps Russia. The Biden handlers are Putin's best friends.
Who the hell thought of this? Doesn’t this have to be appropriated?? Or am I reading the B and got caught.
With Taxpayer funds, 50% of which will be kicked back to American Democrats and 50% European Globalists and Soros.
We have so much money we can’t give it away fast enough.
Don’t forget to kick back 10% to the Big Guy.
Are they going to give them money so they can buy gas now that they can’t steal it? Or will they ship them Texas gas?
“Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the two sides were talking about ways to “ensure that Russia cannot use energy as a coercive tool directed at Ukraine or anyone else.”
Since the prog commies claim that, it tells me that is exactly what they are setting up.
Russian regional control.
.
That might have been the intent of the artist and the magazine, but Putin looks like he’s smiling a little and Biden looks like he is having a minor stroke.
The cover certainly is ironic.
I got the impression that Biden was experiencing involuntary Number 2.
Laughable lunacy. Bypass Ukraine then decide you better make sure they suffer no financial loss for their missing graft .... while they keep water cut off from Crimea.
DC needs to find a way to get paid off and Russian gas going direct to Germany just won’t do.
Ever notice DC doesn’t care about Russian gas going to Germany as long as it passes through sticky fingers Ukraine. Then it’s fine.
Gotta keep the Ukraine kleptocracy on our side
Insanity. The Russians must be wetting their pants laughing at these two weaklings.
What! Are you mad?
lol
When El Trumpo gets back he can make Ukraine a state and shut down Germany...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.