The US may not object to the resumption of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, but Washington will want to make a profit from the pipeline's operations.
This is the opinion of political expert and Eastern researcher Karine Gevorgyan in the latest episode of the V Teme program on BelTA's YouTube channel - the news agency of Belarus.
"The main competitor to the United States, both economically and financially, is Europe. But it must be said that the previous US administration also did a lot to curb Europe. Mr. Trump is happy that he himself has always asked to stop operating Nord Stream," Karine Gevorgyan pointed out.
However, the Russian expert also noted that the US gas supply capacity is shrinking due to a lack of necessary resources.
I would not be surprised if the US did not object to the resumption of Nord Stream operations. But they will want to share the profits. And I will not criticize our government if they agree with that," she stressed.
In March this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Washington and Moscow are negotiating to restore the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
In an interview with Channel One TV channel, Mr. Lavrov confirmed: "The parties are discussing the Nord Stream pipelines. It would be interesting for the Americans to use their influence over Europe and force Europe not to reject Russian gas.
The comments were made as relations between the US and Russia have become increasingly warm after the US election last November. The two powers are participating in ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine, including discussions on "major economic agreements" in the future between the US and Russia.
The Nord Stream pipeline, which formerly transported gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea pipeline, was blown up in a sabotage in late 2022.
Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia supplied 40% of the EU's gas imports, allowing the country to have a major influence on the bloc's energy supply. The EU has cut that dependence to around 2/3.
The Nord Stream pipeline system includes two twin pipelines capable of transporting 110 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Europe each year, enough to supply about 26 million households.
The Nord Stream pipeline began operation in 2011 and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was completed in 2021 but has never received an operating license.
Nord Stream is controlled by Russian gas company Gazprom with the participation of major energy companies in the West.
After the September 2022 explosion, two branches of the Nord Stream pipeline and one branch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline were damaged, with only one branch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline remaining intact. It is estimated that there are still about 9-10 million cubic meters of gas in the damaged branch of Nord Stream 2 while the remaining branch is still filled with gas.
In addition to the explosion that damaged the pipeline, the operator of Nord Stream 2 AG, a unit of Gazprom, is also facing financial difficulties, with pressure to pay creditors.
A Swiss court has set a deadline of May 9 for Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 AG to restructure debts and repay small creditors. This company can declare bankruptcy if it fails to fulfill these requirements.
