Germany Halts Nord Stream 2 Approval Over Russian Recognition of Ukraine "Republics"

• 02.22.2022, 17:47
•  Europe,  World

AP/ТАСС

Germany has stopped the certification process for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in reaction to Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk in east Ukraine, chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced, The Gurdian reports.

Germany’s energy minister, Robert Habeck, on Tuesday morning instructed the withdrawal of an assessment required to authorise the pipeline between Russia and Germany.

"This may sound technical, but it is the necessary administrative step without which the pipeline cannot be certified," Scholz said at a press conference in Berlin at midday. "Without this certification Nord Stream 2 cannot go into operation".

Scholz said he has commissioned a new assessment into Germany’s energy security in the light of geopolitical developments in east Ukraine.

The German leader described Putin’s recognition of the Russian-controlled territories as a "grave breach" of international law that broke with decades of agreements between Russia and the west. "The situation today is fundamentally different," he said.Germany has stopped the certification process for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in reaction to Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk in east Ukraine, chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced.

Germany’s energy minister, Robert Habeck, on Tuesday morning instructed the withdrawal of an assessment required to authorise the pipeline between Russia and Germany.

"This may sound technical, but it is the necessary administrative step without which the pipeline cannot be certified," Scholz said at a press conference in Berlin at midday. "Without this certification Nord Stream 2 cannot go into operation".

Scholz said he has commissioned a new assessment into Germany’s energy security in the light of geopolitical developments in east Ukraine.

The German leader described Putin’s recognition of the Russian-controlled territories as a "grave breach" of international law that broke with decades of agreements between Russia and the west. "The situation today is fundamentally different," he said.