US Prepares New Sanctions against Nord Stream 2

US senators have prepared a plan to expand sanctions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, Bloomberg reports with reference to the draft document. According to the agency, the previously enacted restrictions are planned to be applied to all activities related to pipe laying and insurance. Now, sanctions will also apply to insurance companies that provide services for vessels operating on the pipeline. Ports that will provide their facilities to vessels involved in construction also fall under new restrictions, Gazeta.ru writes. One of the authors of the document, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, said that the pipeline “threatens Ukraine, Europe’s energy independence and gives Russia an opening to exploit our allies” and that “Congress must again take decisive action and stand in this pipeline’s path”. Last week, former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who resigned on June 2, announced that the new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 could be promptly passed by the US Congress. The purpose of these restrictions is to block completion of the pipeline. At the same time, the media reported that US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a heated debate over disagreements on the Nord Stream 2. However, Berlin and Washington did not officially confirm this message.