Steffen Kotre, a member of the German parliament from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, told TASS that Washington is trying to establish control over the Nord Stream gas pipeline infrastructure. If this happens, Europe will be completely dependent on the US.
He pointed out that for decades, the EU has enjoyed energy autonomy. However, if the US enters the European market and takes over the management of Nord Stream, the bloc will become dependent on the US or Nord Stream will never have a chance to revive.
"We see that an American company wants to control the Nord Stream pipeline. This, if it happens, will be a disaster," MP Kotre noted.
He pointed out that Russian gas is still being supplied to a number of EU member states: Spain, France, Belgium and Germany, while the Baltic countries, Poland and Finland want to stop importing energy from Russia.
However, he said, the EU did not publicly declare a complete cut-off of Russian gas "because this would also mean economic suicide".
In Germany, the AfD is a right-wing populist party. In its election program, the AfD advocated lifting sanctions on Russia and repairing the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
In a development related to Nord Stream in Germany, Politico reported that on February 4, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, 80, was taken to a medical facility due to symptoms of exhaustion. He is scheduled to testify before the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament's investigation into the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
At the end of January, he did not attend a hearing before the investigative committee of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament due to health reasons.
According to a statement from doctors sent to the German news agency DPA, former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder is suffering from severe exhaustion, loss of energy, problems with concentration and memory. He has also been diagnosed with a sleep disorder and reduced emotional resilience.
Gerhard Schroder's hearing has been moved to March. However, doctors have warned that he is not physically or mentally able to cope with the stress of a long, public hearing now or in the near future. His health could deteriorate further if he attends such sessions.
Former Chancellor Schroder - a Social Democrat who led Germany from 1998 to 2005 - served as a board member of Russian state energy companies after leaving office.
According to Politico, as German chancellor, Mr. Schroder promoted Nord Stream, and as chairman of the board of directors of Nord Stream 2 AG, he promoted the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
