US envoy to Germany claims Nord Stream 2 sanctions "extremely PRO-european" despite Berlin & EU criticism

RT
Sun, 22 Dec 2019 07:31 UTC

© REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives the ambassador of U.S. to Germany, Richard Grenell, in Meseberg, Germany July 6, 2018.

US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell says the new sanctions aimed at derailing the construction of the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline are beneficial to Europe, while chiding Berlin for not being "pro-Europe" enough.

Grenell, who has courted controversy in Germany with his frequent attempts to meddle in Berlin's sovereign matters, said in an interview with Bild and AP that he was swamped with messages of gratitude from European diplomats after US President Donald Trump signed a defense spending bill envisioning biting sanctions on the companies involved in the construction of the $11 billion pipeline.

"I've been hearing all day from European diplomats thanking me for taking this action," Grenell said, claiming that the decision was made at the behest of Washington's "European partners" who, he said, were begging for the US to "support them in their efforts."

While Grenell did not elaborate on which countries' representatives were lining up to say thanks, he described the sanctions as "a very pro-European decision."

The diplomat, however, brushed off the reaction of Germany, the country he is based in, which has flatly rejected the new crackdown, accusing Washington of interfering in its domestic affairs with extraterritorial sanctions.

Grenell, who is no stranger to lecturing Berlin on what should be done with its defense spending and foreign policy (he has even been called an "occupation commissioner" for that), appeared to suggest the European powerhouse needs to become more "pro-Europe."

"Currently there is a lot of talk in Germany about doing more for Europe and we believe that when it comes to Nord Stream 2, we have taken an extremely pro-European position"

Germany has long been vocal in its opposition to outside interference in its joint project with Russia, with some even calling for a tit-for-tat response such as banning imports of the American LNG (liquefied natural gas) to Germany.

Moscow has condemned the sanctions as well, accusing the US of preventing "creditworthy" countries from developing their economies.

The EU Commission has been reserved in its reaction to the US move, but noted that it is against any sanctions that target companies legally doing business, and has been studying their potential impact on European companies.

Comment: RT reports further:

Nord Stream 2 will be completed regardless of threats from US, as Europeans 'feel humiliated' - FM Lavrov

The pipeline "will come true anyway, despite all these threats," as will the TurkStream - another project on the radar of US lawmakers - he added.

"First, I am confident that Europeans understand their commercial interest. Second, their interest in terms of ensuring long-term energy security. Third, of course, they have been humiliated."

"Our European partners still keep their self-esteem," Lavrov believes.

Germany, one of the main stakeholders in the project, has fiercely resisted US sanctions, referring to them as "interference in our domestic affairs," while the EU says that companies doing business legally shouldn't suffer any pressure.

Also this week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the 'Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act', which targets Russian banks, the cyber sector, and the country's sovereign debt. It was called the "sanctions bill from hell" by its sponsor, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who explained that it is aimed at imposing broad penalties.

If the sanctions come into force, they won't be left unanswered, the Russian foreign minister promised.

"We will respond to sanctions, but in such a way that we do not harm ourselves. But we will respond for sure."

This point is evident: US 'shot itself in the foot' by sanctioning us, Putin says amid reports that Russia has become 'bulletproof' for investors

Still, it is difficult to understand what encourages lawmakers to back the avalanche of sanctions, Lavrov said.

"This is very difficult to understand, because I knew most of these congressmen, members of the House, senators, especially the Democratic Party, either through someone or in person. I never thought that these politicians could get to decisions that don't do credit to serious statesmen."

It's perhaps because they're not making the decisions.

See also:

• Nordstream sanctions, the sad coda to US foreign policy
• Trump loses more than just battle over Nordstream 2
• German MPs in uproar over US' Nord Stream 2 sanction threats, call for retaliation