REUTERS
The U.S. and European sanctions could push Russia to leave the pipeline unfinished.
Polish analyst Marek Budzisz has said the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline may remain unfinished as its completion will ultimately prove inviable for Russia.
According to the analyst, the U.S. and European sanctions on the gas pipeline could push Russia to take a step to abandon the pipeline's completion efforts, as reported by Wpolityce.pl.
"This is a project that will bring Moscow no benefits, neither political nor economic, especially" Budzisz said.
In fact, this information has previously been confirmed by Gazprom.
"In the implementation of our major international projects, such as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, we have faced and may continue to face risks associated with changing political situations in various regions associated with such projects. In exceptional circumstances, including due to political pressure, such changes may lead to the suspension or termination of the project," Gazprom said.
Nord Stream 2: Background
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald. This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019.
The pipeline will be 1,220 km long. The project is being implemented by Russia's Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall. Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.
According to media reports, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden intends to do his best to prevent the construction of Nord Stream 2.
On November 4, 2020, the media reported that U.S. Congress wanted to expand sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream.
On December 4, 2020, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he doubted that the U.S. position on Nord Stream 2 would change after Joe Biden's inauguration.
On December 6, 2020, United States Charge d'Affaires to Germany Robin Quinville called on the EU and Germany to declare a moratorium on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
On December 9, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with expanded restrictions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
On December 11, 2020, the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline resumed.
Germany's federal maritime regulator BSH says the construction work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could be stopped for an indefinite period in German waters but opponents still need to give detailed reasons to justify the halt.