Germany puts on hold gas pipeline amid Russia-Ukraine crisis

• The pipeline was designed to bring natural gas from Russia to Europe

• Germany has been called out for not taking necessary steps against Russia’s threats to Ukraine

Germany on Tuesday put on hold a major natural-gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, designed for bringing natural gas from Russia to Europe, after Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed troops in two breakaway parts of Ukraine.

Olaf Scholz, Germany chancellor, said the steps taken by Russia are not acceptable and Germany will have to reassess the deal regarding Nord Stream 2.

“In light of the most recent developments we must reassess the situation in particular regarding Nord Stream 2,” Scholz said at a news conference.

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Scholz also said that he had asked the German Economy Ministry to take steps “to make sure that this pipeline cannot be certified at this point in time, and without this certification Nord Stream 2 cannot operate.”

“The appropriate departments of the Economy Ministry will make a new assessment of the security of our supply in light of what has changed in last few days,” he added.

Germany has been called out for not taking necessary steps against Russia’s threats to Ukraine.

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Scholz said that, “almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in Eastern Europe. It is our task to avert such a disaster and I call upon Russia once more to contribute their share.”

Nord Stream 2, an $11 billion pipeline, was completed late last year and is designed to double the amount of gas flowing from Russia to Germany.

Germany regulators are yet to officially permit the pipeline to operate.

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Ukraine would lose millions of dollars’ worth of gas transit fees, if the Nord Stream 2 pipeline starts operating. Ukraine gets gas transit fees from the existing pipelines of Russia in its territory.

The EU imports around 40% of its gas from Russia.

Picture Credits: Reuters