The latest US sanctions are not just targeting Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline but the whole energy alliance between Russia and Europe, according to Alexander Rahr, research director at the German-Russian Forum.
RT talked to Rahr, following the approval of a bill by the US Senate, which would sanction companies involved in the construction of the Russian gas pipeline to Europe. The bill is expected to be signed by US President Donald Trump later this week.
European companies working on Nord Stream 2 will have enough time to complete the project before US sanctions are implemented, according to Rahr. Under the new bill they will have 30 days to stop their operations.
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“European companies participating in Nord Stream 2 will have enough time and the US president knows that and he needs a bogeyman story for the Europeans. He understands that he can’t stop Nord Stream 2, but the new bill will give him power in the future to pressure Europe,” Rahr said.
There is certainly a risk that some companies cooperating in the energy sector with Russia will wind down operations and “run to the United States to save their business which is more profitable for them,” Rahr explained. However, there are others that will stay and continue their business in Russia, he added.
The expert explained that Washington does not want Moscow to make money on the European market, while trying to increase its own exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). At the same time, the US does not want to save Ukraine from possible bankruptcy if Kiev loses the $2-3 billion it makes annually from Russian gas transit to Europe.
