President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the United States will join Germany in imposing sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project in retaliation for Moscow’s mounting military pressure against Ukraine.
The targeting of Nord Stream 2 — one of energy-rich Russia’s highest-profile geostrategic initiatives — adds to Western sanctions announced by the United States and European allies this week against two Russian banks, several oligarchs and other measures.
Built to funnel Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic sea — bypassing the current overland route which traverses Ukraine — Nord Stream 2 has long been controversial. It is completely built but has not been put to use.
