FT learned about Merz's desire to disrupt the resumption of the Nord Stream project

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opposes the resumption of the Server Streams project, and also supports new European Union (EU) sanctions against them in order to prevent cooperation between Russia and the United States in the gas sector. This was reported on May 23 by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper, citing sources.

"Merz actively supports the EU ban on Nord Streams, trying to stop any attempts by the United States and Russia to resume gas ties <... > The Chancellor sought to stifle internal debate about the benefits of their potential reactivation," the material says.

According to the newspaper, such an initiative by the Chancellor may indicate a desire to "Europeanize" the Nord Streams in order to avoid pressure from the Russian and American sides. At the same time, it is clarified that the inclusion of Nord Stream in the EU sanctions list may mean for Merz the elimination of political difficulties due to the pipeline.

Gas pass: Germany is considering the restoration of the Nord Streams

The United States is also showing interest in pipelines.

On May 20, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, said that the energy sector would become the main component of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia being developed in the EU. Sanctions against Nord Streams are also being discussed as part of the restrictions.

On April 25, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechaev called the possible restoration of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream–2 pipelines a matter of the political will of the German and US authorities. According to him, there are many businessmen among the new US administration who know a lot about the economy and can deal with a deal to restore Nord Streams.