The U.S. Should Press Harder on Nord Stream 2
Delaying sanctions on the pipeline can be justified — but only if Germany does more to counter Russian aggression.
Germany isn't giving up its pipeline dream.
Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
The Biden administration has opted for now not to impose new sanctions on Nord Stream 2, the pipeline that will double the amount of natural gas Russia transports directly to Europe. For the time being, the decision allows the U.S. to avoid a confrontation with Germany, the project’s main supporter. It also risks inflaming Congress and handing a geopolitical victory to Vladimir Putin.
The administration can still salvage an acceptable outcome, but it needs to start now. In exchange for withholding new sanctions, the U.S. should press Germany to accept greater responsibility for defending Europe against Putin’s aggression.