Construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline began in 2011. The Nord Stream 2 connects Germany directly to Russia via the Baltic Sea. One of its goals is to protect Germany's energy security and less dependence on third countries, resulting in lower prices. (The yellow dotted line is the Nord Stream 2. Map quoted from Gazprom’s website)

This offshore pipeline transports Russian natural gas to Germany and then to other European countries, and of course Ukraine and some other countries have been set aside on the transit route. By completing this pipeline, Russia's export capacity to Europe will increase to 110 cubic meters.

Proponents such as the Russian government, the companies involved in the project, the Austrian government and many German politicians believe that the pipeline, in addition to meeting Germany's energy needs, will secure energy supplies and help achieve the EU's sustainable development goals. In contrast, many in the European Union, the European Parliament, Poland, the Baltic States, environmental groups, some German politicians, Ukraine and the US government, and many members of Congress are opposed to the pipeline.

Opponents say the pipeline will give Russia more economic and political tools, and some other opponents are pointing to halting of energy transfers or price manipulation by Russia and further weakening Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. In this regard, many believe that Russia seeks to weaken Europe, NATO and the transatlantic alliance with this pipeline. In this regard, this bad agreement will make Europe more dependent on Moscow, deprive Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine of revenues from transit rights and increase the security risk of the European Union.

Many in Europe and the United States see Nord Stream 2 as a geopolitical project, so efforts to stop the "bad deal for Europe" is continuing. In this regard, the United States has imposed sanctions on any entity that participates in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

However, on the one hand, Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel, by supporting the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project, hope that project is infrastructural and can be separated from other political issues with Russia.

What is clear is that US sanctions and European opposition and requests to extend the contract for the transit of gas through Ukraine, etc., is while many European companies have either terminated their participation in the North Stream 2 pipeline or have promised to withdraw. Russia, on the other hand, will try to circumvent US sanctions. Given US efforts to repair transatlantic relations as well as previous tensions, the dispute over the Nord Stream 2 will continue to be a source of tension. However, Washington does not want the Nord Stream 2 project to affect its relationship with Germany.

Now, the Rolling Stream 2 project is 95 percent complete, and while US sanctions have been significant, the time to stop it is short. In fact, sanctions are not the solution, and Russia and Germany continue to pursue the same approach. In the meantime, the possibility of a change of opinion in the Kremlin or the German Chancellor seems unlikely. However, the possibility of the German Green Party coming to power in the upcoming German elections in September may help stop the pipeline.

Farzad Ramezani Bonesh

Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs