Close to Vladimir Putin, former CEO of Nord Stream Matthias Warnig, with the support of American investors, is working on the project to relaunch the Russian gas pipeline «Nord Stream 2» to Europe, learned Financial Times. Sources claim that an unofficial dialogue is being conducted through businessmen with Donald Trump's team. There, the idea of resuming the project is considered both as a step towards restoring relations with Russia and as a tool to pressure it in peace negotiations. The EU learned about the discussions in recent weeks, the publication writes.
Warnig's plan involves not only relaunching the pipeline but also deeper economic cooperation between Washington and Moscow, including possible mediation in ending the war in Ukraine. Senior Trump administration officials are familiar with the initiative to attract American investors and view it as part of broader efforts to normalize relations between the US and Russia.
In Europe, this situation has caused concern. Leaders of several European countries have already discussed the possible consequences of restoring «Nord Stream 2». The implementation of this plan will require the lifting of US sanctions on Russia, the Kremlin's consent to resume supplies, and Germany's permission to receive gas in Europe. Some American politicians believe that the presence of American investors in this deal could change the balance of influence on the EU energy market.
«Nord Stream 2» is a pipeline project intended to connect Russia with Germany through the Baltic Sea, bypassing transit countries, including Ukraine. The pipeline consists of two lines, with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
One of the two pipelines was destroyed in September 2022 as a result of sabotage, while the second, with a capacity of 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, remained intact but was never put into operation.