US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heaped praise on Germany during a visit to Berlin on Wednesday, but the two countries are still in disagreement over Nord Stream 2, the natural gas pipeline that will connect Russia to Germany.
Discussing the pipeline at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Blinken said, “This is one place where we disagree.” The Biden administration recently imposed additional sanctions over Nord Stream 2, but ultimately decided not to sanction the company overseeing the project, Nordstream AG, and its CEO.
“We recently imposed sanctions, more sanctions than have ever been imposed under the law, against a number of Russian entities involved in the pipeline. And at the same time, we waived certain sanctions with regard to Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO,” Blinken said. He said the sanctions were waived because the pipeline is already over 90 percent complete. “That was the reality. That’s something we inherited,” he said.
The US claims that Russia and Germany’s desire to trade more is a threat to Europe and Ukraine. “We believe, we continue to believe, that the pipeline is ultimately a Russian geopolitical project that threatens European energy security and potentially undermines the security of Ukraine and other countries in the region,” Blinken said.
Kyiv stands to lose money in gas transportation fees if the project is complete, and Ukrainian state energy companies have been lobbying Washington to get the pipeline construction shut down.
Blinken’s visit also comes against the backdrop of the previous administration’s relationship with Germany. Under Trump, US-Germany relations were strained due to US demands for Berlin to pay more for NATO and its military. The Trump administration also ordered the withdrawal of about 12,000 troops from Germany, but the plan was quickly reversed by President Biden.
It is all about forcing Germany and Russia to subsidize Ukraine by gas transit fees and discounted gas supply. Otherwise, it is just Russian gas supplying Europe, the same as before.
And that in itself is just a tool. Increase Russia-Ukraine tensions, and by all means separate Germany and Russia. Preferably, have them fight in the future — the favorite Anglo-American dream.
Commercial projects — especially long tern — binding Russia and Germany are especially to be obstructed.
Germany is treated as an adolescent — and Anglo-American are the guardians. Germany is not allowed to make its own decisions and judge what is best in their interest.
In fact, if peace is an objective — Germany and Russia should be encouraged to increase their mutual economic dependency and increased trust. Instead, what Anglo-US interests are pushing — is conflict. Ukraine has only one value — keep tensions on Russian border, assured to keep Russia and EU apart.
Why do you think the grandson of Queen Victoria, as soon as he occupied German throne, fired man who united Germany? Bismarck — the Prussian — continued the Prussian tradition of keeping balance with Russia, the badly needed continental security among powers. Especially, weakening Habsburg and Ottoman empires.
Queen Victoria’s grandson, the “despised” Keiiser, insured that British operatives nurtured Turkey’s Young Turks, and Russia’s rising star, Trotsky — both becoming stellar examples of regime change techniques.
After WWI which destroyed the prospects of a rising German country, UK came out weaker — for all its cleverness, it was a clearly declining power. New colonies did not save it, nor did Versailles attempt at draining German economy.
But America came on the top, organizing post war Europe.
Prussia was dismembered to insure Germany remains a collection of regions with no leadership.
And after a brief breathing room Prussia had under Soviet rule, it is back to post WWII “normal”.
Let us not forget that the authentic Prussian name is PRUSIJA. Its language, now remembered only n Kaliningrad — had a heavy Slavic component.
Yes, we get it. Germany and Russia are not allowed to get close. That would be the end of Anglo-American domination of continent. But the liberal infusion in Germany and the rest of Europe is powerful.
And those are — with ZERO exception dedicated to Anglo-American interests. The woke brigades, from the environmental affairs to social equity/historic grievances are attracting young generations.
This does not bode well for conservatives, especially as conservatives have allowed themselves to be pushed into a corner by a confused, often xenophobic agenda of marginalized actors. To the delight of liberal crowd that is anti-Russian to the core. Germany is losing the battle for its national interest and core security. Hope I am mistaken.