US President Joe Biden has warned that he will cut off the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany if it invades Ukraine. Biden made the remarks after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Schulz in Washington.

The US president made the remarks during a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier.

European countries, including the United States, have repeatedly accused Russia of possible attacks, but Russia has said it has no plans to invade Ukraine.
Russia has about 100,000 troops stationed along the border with Ukraine.

Joe Biden and Schulz addressed a news conference after the meeting. In response to a question about “Nord Stream 2”, Joe Biden said that “Nord Stream 2” would be closed if Russia invaded. Biden did not answer questions about how to close. He also said that Russia would take “severe action” against Russia if it invaded Ukraine.

What is Nerd Stream 2 gas pipeline?

The 1,200-kilometer-long gas pipeline project runs through the Baltic Sea from western Russia to northeastern Germany.

The project aims to double the supply of natural gas from Russia to Germany. Currently, gas from Russia to Germany flows through the Nord Stream pipeline, which was built in 2021.

If successful, the pipeline would supply 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany each year. The project is owned by the Russian state gas company Gazprom.

Work on the pipeline was completed in September 2021. But Gazprom is still awaiting approval from European regulators before resuming gas supplies.

Why dispute ?

Critics say the pipeline is a weapon of Russia’s foreign policy. The project has been strongly opposed by the United States, Ukraine and Poland.

The United States fears that the pipeline could make Europe more dependent on Russia’s energy. With its help, Russian President Vladimir Putin will dominate Germany and the European Union. Ukraine also wants the project closed.

translated from BBC hindi