Germany's deep ties to Nord Stream 2 expose a historic blunder
Diverging from official declarations, previously secret documents reveal German authorities' involvement in the pipeline's construction and close cooperation with the company responsible for it. The newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on the matter, commenting on these revelations as a "chronicle of a historic mistake."
1 June 2024 14:36
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government consistently maintained that the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was a "private business venture." Now evidence has surfaced showing how deeply involved the authorities were in this investment.
As "Süddeutsche Zeitung" recalls, by insisting on Nord Stream 2, Germany gained a reputation for being "blind to Russian aggression" or interested in a "lucrative business". Now the papers revealed confirm these allegations.
The newspaper accessed documents from the Ministry of Economy. Previously they were classified due to an ongoing court case. The papers show how persistently Merkel and her ministers, including later Chancellor Olaf Scholz, supported the project and pushed for progress in the contracts.
"Neither resistance from Eastern European countries, Brussels or Washington, nor the vile actions of the Putin regime could change anything," emphasizes "SZ". Germany consciously made itself dependent on Russian gas imports.
On June 18, 2015, German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Sigmar Gabriel learns about a new gas pipeline, which is mostly going to be owned by Russia's Gazprom. A note sent to the Vice Chancellor comments that this dependency makes resistance to the investment possible. Gabriel proposes "informal talks" in Brussels.
At that time, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico protested against the project. In May 2016, officials advised Gabriel to reach out to Poland and Slovakia because "if the interests of these two countries are met, all resistance should disappear". Shortly afterward, Gabriel writes to Fico that Nord Stream 2 will turn Slovakia into a "gas hub."
The German Ministry of Economy also maintains close contacts with Matthias Warnig from the management of Nord Stream 2 AG. Warnig is a former Stasi agent and a friend of Putin.
The ministry does not give up even when many countries oppose NS2. Experts compile a list of European countries that could threaten the project and plan talks.
Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to raise the pipeline issue during diplomatic meetings. "We are aware of the political dimension of this project and take our partners' concerns seriously, without engaging in discussions about preventing (this venture)," this note is found in the meeting notes with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło in April 2017.
New U.S. President Donald Trump wants to halt the pipeline's construction. His administration imposes sanctions on NS2 operators. At that time, Nord Stream 2 AG funded the creation of a climate and environmental foundation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany. The organization aims to bypass U.S. sanctions and help complete the pipeline.
When President Joe Biden takes office in January 2021, the sanctions are eased, and Nord Stream 2 AG avoids penalties.
"Already in June 2021, the Polish parliament drew attention to the deployment of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border and the threat of a serious military conflict on the EU's borders," emphasizes the German newspaper. The Sejm calls for the immediate halt of the Nord Stream 2 construction, expressing solidarity with Ukraine and Central European countries threatened by Russian expansionism.
However, the German Ministry of Economy, despite having a translation of this resolution, does not react. At the beginning of September 2021, Nord Stream 2 is complete. Ultimately, it will not be operational. A few months later, Russia will conduct a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
