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2:30
Germany suspends Nord Stream 2 pipeline
Germany has applied the economic sanction that will have the most impact on Russia.
Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, announced that the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is suspended, in response to the recognition of Donetsk and Luganks as independent republics by Moscow.
Once independence was decreed, Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory, confirming US warnings about Russian invasion.
The foreign minister, after the announcement, assured that the geopolitical situation has changed and, therefore, there can be no certification for the gas pipeline.
On the other hand, Scholz has affirmed that the European Union within the next few hours will make the official announcement on the sanctioning measures that will be imposed on Russia for non-compliance with international treaties.
Nord Stream 2, the gas pipeline that intended to supply Russian gas to a large part of Europe, is the main link in the relations between Germany and Russia, since it interconnects both countries.
This gas pipeline was ready to start operations and was only waiting for the certification issued by the regulatory entities, a certification that Olaf has just suspended.
Over the weekend, at the Security Conference in Munich, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had already warned that the pipeline's certification was at stake and would be suspended if Russia invaded Ukraine.
Germany was reluctant to suspend the pipeline due to the country's dependence on Russia for gas, but Germany has followed through on its warnings by imposing a measure that will come at a high economic cost to Russia.
From Moscow, former president Dmytri Medvedev assured that this decision will have a high risk, not only for Germany, but for Europe due to the rise in energy prices.
The gas pipeline project
Nord Stream is a project that was put into operation by President Putin and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. In September 2005 they signed the plans for the construction of the gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea.
After losing the elections, Schroder was elected as director of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. He currently chairs the board of directors.
Nord Stream 2 bypasses the Ukraine and directly connects the Narva Bay in Russia with the Baltic Sea coast in Germany. This project was completed in 2021.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom announced sanctions against the Kremlin. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson assured that the sanctions they will impose are aimed at the Russian elite and strategic banks for Russia.
In turn, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in London, Andrey Kelin, to notify him of the United Kingdom's dissatisfaction with the attack perpetrated against Ukraine and its "territorial integrity and sovereignty."
