The European Union is taking a firm stance against the potential reactivation of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which have been inactive since 2022 due to sabotage and sanctions. German Chancellor Frederick Merz is backing an EU plan to ban the use of these pipelines, in a bid to block any attempts to revive energy trade with Russia. This move comes as Russia and the US are reportedly exploring ways to resume gas shipments through the still-intact Nord Stream 2 line, as part of broader efforts to normalize ties between Moscow and Washington.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, have been at the center of a heated debate. Russia insists that Western intelligence agencies were behind the sabotage that led to their inactivation, while the EU has imposed sanctions that have severely impacted European industries. The pipelines were a crucial source of natural gas for Germany, meeting up to 60% of the country’s demand before 2022. The loss of this affordable supply has resulted in production cuts and job losses across Germany’s industrial sector.
The European Commission has proposed including the Nord Stream pipelines in its new 18th sanctions package against Russia, which would target the Switzerland-based entity that owns the pipelines, Nord Stream 2 AG, as well as any other companies necessary for their restart and operation. However, not everyone is in agreement with this plan. Florian Philippot, a prominent French Euroskeptic politician, has criticized the proposal, calling it “madness” and warning that it would be a “death sentence” for European industry.
As the EU considers its next move, concerns are growing about the economic fallout from cutting ties with Russian energy. European gas prices quadrupled in the year following the sabotage and sanctions, placing immense strain on industry and consumers. In recent months, a growing number of German industrial leaders and politicians have advocated for the resumption of Russian gas imports, citing the need for affordable energy to revive sectors like chemicals. Christian Gunther, managing director of the Leuna chemical park in eastern Germany, has emphasized the importance of Russian gas for the industry, telling Reuters that it is essential for reviving sectors like chemicals.
Despite the challenges, Moscow has repeatedly stressed its reliability as a supplier and its willingness to negotiate the restart of gas exports to the continent. As the EU navigates this complex situation, it remains to be seen whether the Nord Stream pipelines will be reactivated, and what the consequences will be for European industries and consumers. One thing is certain, however: the fate of the Nord Stream pipelines will have far-reaching implications for the global energy landscape.
