Scholz Pledges to Defend Ukraine Gas Exports Against Russia

German chancellor cautious amid pressure on Putin over Ukraine
German foreign minister says pipeline can’t be certified yet

Olaf ScholzPhotographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg

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By Patrick Donahue and Maciej Martewicz

December 12, 2021 at 7:41 PM UTC

Updated on

December 13, 2021 at 8:03 AM UTC

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised that his government will “do everything” to ensure that natural gas continues to flow through Ukraine and prevent Russia from using its Nord Stream 2 pipeline to cripple the former Soviet republic’s economy.

During a three-hour trip to Poland on Sunday, Germany’s new leader didn’t directly address what, if any, action his government would take against the pipeline as Russia masses troops on Ukraine’s border.