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President Duda: U.S. decision, including change of position of President of Nord Stream 2 was surprising
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
The U.S. decision not to sanction the construction of Nord Stream 2, including changing the position of US President Joe Biden, was surprising; however, we were prepared to do so," said President Andrzej Duda on Monday on TVP Info.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. State Department reported in a report to Congress that it had changed its previous position and abolished sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, conducting the construction of the second part of this pipeline from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, and Matthias Warnig, its boss. This was motivated by "national security considerations".
Last week U.S. President Joe Biden stated that "sanctions against Nord Stream 2 would have an opposite effect to the intended". He also stated once again that he was against the German-Russian gas pipeline project "from the beginning". He added that the U.S. allies in Europe "know his position perfectly."
When asked to withdraw from sanctions by the American administration, the president said that the decision surprised and surprised him.
"This is not a decision that takes place without an echo in the United States. However, it caused a massive storm in America itself, because here Congress and parliament in the US have repeatedly, including very serious politicians, presented a very different point of view when it comes to Nord Stream 2," said Duda.
"I admit that this was surprising – such a sudden change of position, with the rest also by President Biden himself, because after all the President had a different opinion on Nord Stream 2 until recently. We were prepared to see that this situation might happen at some point in time and hence a calm, consistent implementation of the demand for diversification of supplies, an extended gas-port in Świnoujście" - added the President.
Among the next energy plans, he listed the construction of another gas-port in Gdańsk, the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline, which – as he said – are intended to provide different possibilities of energy supply to Poland and the whole Trimorz.
"Nord Stream 2 is not just a matter concerning Poland. Please bear in mind the strong opposition of Slovakia, the strong opposition of Ukraine. It is these interests that are primarily affected by the construction of Nord Stream 2, but it is also a huge question of how energy sovereignty of many EU countries is very strengthening and monopolizing the position of the Russian gas supplier," the President said.
The pipe, consisting of two strands, is almost complete. The Budowie oppose, among others, Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic States, stressing that the completion of the project will increase Europe's dependence on gas imports from Russia and will extend Kremlin's political influence on European policy. The project is supported by Germany, Austria and several other EU countries. Construction of the pipeline began during the administration of former US President Donald Trump in 2018. It became the main source of friction between the US and Germany.
Source: PAP
