The United States has extended restrictions on Nord Stream 2 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
On January 19, the US authorities imposed sanctions on the Russian pipelayer Fortuna, which is involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2. The restrictions also affect the owner of the vessel, LLC KBT-Rus, according to the website of the American Ministry of Finance.
Restrictions include a ban on exports, banking and blocking of assets and property of the company.
Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov accused the United States of violating international law and the principles of fair and free trade. At the same time, candidate for the post of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken admitted the inability of the US President-elect Joe Biden to influence the position of the EU countries that support the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
He stressed that the new administration will do everything possible to prevent the completion of the project. On January 19, the Swiss company Zurich Insurance Group confirmed its intention to stop providing insurance services for works related to the construction of the gas pipeline.
In addition, the Bild newspaper reported that the German concern Bilfinger Se refused to participate in the construction due to US sanctions.
The day before, Gazprom announced that they intend to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2, despite the pressure on the project. At the same time, a representative of the company admitted that the sanctions limit the way the construction is carried out.
Nord Stream 2 is being built from Russia to the Federal Republic of Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea with the aim of direct and reliable gas supplies to Europe. The EU countries support the project and participate in its implementation. The USA, the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine are against.
Washington has previously repeatedly noted that it wants to bring its liquefied natural gas to the European market.