Russia-Ukraine conflict: Germany halts Nord 2 pipeline certification process

Germany has halted the certification process of Nord stream 2 gas pipeline project, saying that it strongly opposes Russia’s action against Ukraine. Chancellor Scholz said that it was necessary for Russia to return to the negotiating table and the need of the whole world was to stop such unilateral decisions.

What is the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Project?

1. Nord Stream is a 1200 km long pipeline. It runs from western Russia to north-east Germany through the Baltic Sea. Germany wants to double the supply of natural gas from Russia through this pipeline project.

2. The work of this pipeline, built at an expenditure of Rs 83 thousand crore, has been completed in September 2021. However, some important approvals are yet to be received, due to which the pipeline has not been inaugurated.

Russia currently sends gas to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. It currently has the capacity to supply 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The new pipeline will double this supply.

How much damage is likely to Europe?

If the Nord Stream project is stopped, then it threatens to deepen the gas crisis in Germany as well as in other European countries. Most of Europe’s countries currently depend on Russia for imports of natural gas and oil.

How can America come forward to help Europe?

After the ban on Nord Stream 2, Russia’s move to cut off gas-oil supplies to Europe could prove to be dangerous. To avoid this, the US has recently approached Qatar, which has tremendous gas and oil resources in the Arab world. With the help of Qatar, the US can get Russia’s interrupted supplies back to Europe and can succeed in preventing Russia from attacking Ukraine.