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Russia Gas Pipeline to Boost Grip on Ukraine and Europe, U.S. Diplomat Says

Rogue Valley

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Russia Gas Pipeline to Boost Grip on Ukraine and Europe, U.S. Diplomat Says | The Moscow Times

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12/11/18
Russia is seeking to boost its power in Europe and grip over Ukraine with the proposed NordStream 2 natural gas pipeline, the top U.S. energy diplomat said on Monday, in a step-up of Washington's rhetoric against the pipeline. "Through NordStream 2, Russia seeks to increase its leverage on the West while severing Ukraine from Europe," Francis Fannon, the U.S. assistant secretary for energy resources at the State Department, told reporters in a teleconference. The pipeline has been opposed both by President Donald Trump, a Republican, and his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama as a political tool for Russia to consolidate power over Europe. Much of the gas that Europe currently gets from Russia via pipeline goes through Ukraine, which collects billions of dollars in transit charges making up to 3 percent of its gross domestic product. If NordStream 2, which aims to bring Russian gas to Western Europe via the Baltic Sea, and TurkStream, a pipeline to bring gas from Russia to Turkey, are completed it would mean transit revenues would evaporate. "It's kind of just what's left over that would be transited, potentially transited, through Ukraine," Fannon said. "Even then that's only based on whether we can trust [Russia President Vladimir] Putin, I don't think the record should indicate anyone should."

Putin has said that NordStream 2, a consortium of Russia's state-controlled Gazprom and five European companies, is purely economic and not directed against other countries. Russian gas could continue to go through Ukraine if the pipeline is completed, Putin has said. But Russia has stopped shipments of gas to Ukraine in winter in recent years over a series of pricing disputes. Critics of NordStream 2 say it could increase Russia's ability to manipulate European energy markets. In an increase in tensions, Russia last month seized three Ukrainian naval ships off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea in the Sea of Azov after opening fire on them. Fannon made his comments after traveling to Eastern Europe to discuss projects that could offer Europe a more diverse natural gas supply. Those included a floating liquefied natural gas terminal on the Adriatic island of Krk that could one day receive gas imports from the United States, which is increasing its exports of the fuel, or the eastern Mediterranean. Fannon said he expected Russia's aggression in the Sea of Azov to boost support for several bills in the U.S. Congress that include new sanctions on Russia's energy sector, though he refrained from commenting on any particular legislation.

Putin never does anything without underlying political reasons. His main reasons for the NS-2 project are: 1. Eliminate energy competition (US/Iran/SA) in the Europe market. 2. NS-2 will ensure Europe is a captive market. 3. NS-2 will serve as a Kremlin political-leverage bludgeon since there will be few viable energy alternatives. 4. NS-2 will economically punish Ukraine for joining Europe and divorcing itself from Moscow.
 
Putin's main reason for the pipeline is to do businees for the Russian economy and its' major exports. The USA uses sanctions, tariffs, threats, economic warfare, coup d'etats, brives, and military to attempt to capture petro markets in Europe. The transportation costs from Russia, being on the same continent and contiguous neighbors, makes Russian Petro much cheaper and ergo the USA uses all pressure tactics available, legal and illegal, to stifle Russian competition. Unfair Trade, don't ya' know? By the way, Ukraine has stolen a great deal of gas from Russia from the Ukraine Pipeline and Russia would be well advised to shut that pipeline down as soon as viable alternatives are up and running. The Petro market is probably what all the Ukraine destabilization is all about. OIL/GAS->Syria is destabilized, Libya is destabilized, Iraq is destabiliaed, Iran is destabilized, and all by USA activities. Coink-dink???? Not a chance. Made in USA.
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Putin's main reason for the pipeline is to do businees for the Russian economy and its' major exports.

Your initial sentence demonstrates to all that you have no grasp of Kremlin realpolitik.

All you offer are RT talking points. EU citizens! Putin would never harm Europe! :lamo
 
Russia Gas Pipeline to Boost Grip on Ukraine and Europe, U.S. Diplomat Says | The Moscow Times

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Putin never does anything without underlying political reasons. His main reasons for the NS-2 project are: 1. Eliminate energy competition (US/Iran/SA) in the Europe market. 2. NS-2 will ensure Europe is a captive market. 3. NS-2 will serve as a Kremlin political-leverage bludgeon since there will be few viable energy alternatives. 4. NS-2 will economically punish Ukraine for joining Europe and divorcing itself from Moscow.


it's Europe's decision and not america's you Americans fail to understand we don't answer to America we do what is best for Europe and why should Russia give Ukraine a free meal, it is a unreliable partner not just for Russia but the EU as well and has been stealing gas that was bound for the EU
 
it's Europe's decision and not america's you Americans fail to understand we don't answer to America we do what is best for Europe and why should Russia give Ukraine a free meal, it is a unreliable partner not just for Russia but the EU as well and has been stealing gas that was bound for the EU

The US can certainly lobby Europe. Lord knows Russia does it enough with trolls and disinformation.
 
The US can certainly lobby Europe. Lord knows Russia does it enough with trolls and disinformation.

that's rich coming from Americans they have been hacking , spying on us and our governments, steal business info to win contracts for US companies upload malware to our power grids ... you are no friend of ours the EU should just come clean and label America for what they are a threat to our sovereignty .... Trump let the cat out the bag when he called the EU foes and couldn't handle it when macron reciprocated .... you think you can bullies us and expect us do to do as you please .... those days are over ... you are a menace not just to Europe but the entire globe
 
Says the communist from Ireland. Lol.

communist from Ireland ??? for a start i'm a nationalist from Scotland .... the same Scotland that invented the modern world through the Scottish enlightenment ... without Scots and our inventions America would still be a backwards tinpot country ... America's best Edison went throughout his life trying to patent inventions that already been invented .... talk about being a waster
 
communist from Ireland ??? for a start i'm a nationalist from Scotland .... the same Scotland that invented the modern world through the Scottish enlightenment ... without Scots and our inventions America would still be a backwards tinpot country ... America's best Edison went throughout his life trying to patent inventions that already been invented .... talk about being a waster
:lamo:lamo
 
Rogue Valley:

Europe needs gas and oil more than it needs to inconvenience or punish Mr. Putin's regime. This is short-sighted on the part of Europe but it also Europe's choice to make. The world will not stand still for Ukraine nor for the American Government's disapproval of deeper Russian penetration into Europe's energy markets. Life goes on as normal, except in the Donbas and Crimea. Perhaps when Kiev/Kyiv or Warsaw fall then Europe may awaken in alarm but they're not ready yet to take on inconvenience in order to nip Russian military ambitions in the bud.

Shape tio post eventum.

Cheers.
Evilroddy.
 
communist from Ireland ??? for a start i'm a nationalist from Scotland .... the same Scotland that invented the modern world through the Scottish enlightenment ... without Scots and our inventions America would still be a backwards tinpot country ... America's best Edison went throughout his life trying to patent inventions that already been invented .... talk about being a waster

Whatever. You're no friend of either Europe or the West.
 
Rogue Valley:

Europe needs gas and oil more than it needs to inconvenience or punish Mr. Putin's regime. This is short-sighted on the part of Europe but it also Europe's choice to make. The world will not stand still for Ukraine nor for the American Government's disapproval of deeper Russian penetration into Europe's energy markets. Life goes on as normal, except in the Donbas and Crimea. Perhaps when Kiev/Kyiv or Warsaw fall then Europe may awaken in alarm but they're not ready yet to take on inconvenience in order to nip Russian military ambitions in the bud.

Shape tio post eventum.

Cheers.
Evilroddy.

Oil and gas can be purchased from numerous vendors. Russia isn't critical.

When Putin cuts off their energy in mid-winter because they won't remove sanctions, it will be too late for a common sense decision.
 
Whatever. You're no friend of either Europe or the West.
i am no friend of Europe .... you haven't a clue son ... just give up whilst your two miles behind .... Scotland will be leaving the UK to remain in the EU ... because we are very much PRO European .... we are just not America's little bitches like the English

and we won't be part of NATO when we leave the UK ... contrary to US belief NATO does not equal the EU

Oil and gas can be purchased from numerous vendors. Russia isn't critical.

When Putin cuts off their energy in mid-winter because they won't remove sanctions, it will be too late for a common sense decision.

you seriously don't have a clue ... during the cold war the Soviet Union didn't cut off the gas to the EU
 
Oil and gas can be purchased from numerous vendors. Russia isn't critical.

When Putin cuts off their energy in mid-winter because they won't remove sanctions, it will be too late for a common sense decision.

Pretty much every single instance of oil getting cut off by russia was because of ukraine either stealing gas or refusing to pay for it or refusing to pay full price on it. Every shut down happened for those 3 reasons, and it was not political it was because ukraine was flat out a thieving country who believed they were owed the gas, and would avoid paying money owed until their gas was shut off.

Nord stream 2 aims to bypass ukraine who had been responsible for every shutdown, which cost the russians and the eu plenty as russia lost profits and the eu had to scramble to import much more expensive oil and gas. maybe if ukraine had paid for it's gas at not tried to steal it over and over there would not be a problem, as everyone else seems to pay for gas just fine. But to put it simply ukraine is the problem of every disruption, and now ukraine is crying crocodile tears because russia is going to bypass them, taking away revenue they feel they deserve for transit as well as stolen gas they think is theirs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia–Ukraine_gas_disputes
 
Pretty much every single instance of oil getting cut off by russia was because of ukraine either stealing gas or refusing to pay for it or refusing to pay full price on it. Every shut down happened for those 3 reasons, and it was not political it was because ukraine was flat out a thieving country who believed they were owed the gas, and would avoid paying money owed until their gas was shut off.

Nord stream 2 aims to bypass ukraine who had been responsible for every shutdown, which cost the russians and the eu plenty as russia lost profits and the eu had to scramble to import much more expensive oil and gas. maybe if ukraine had paid for it's gas at not tried to steal it over and over there would not be a problem, as everyone else seems to pay for gas just fine. But to put it simply ukraine is the problem of every disruption, and now ukraine is crying crocodile tears because russia is going to bypass them, taking away revenue they feel they deserve for transit as well as stolen gas they think is theirs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia–Ukraine_gas_disputes

Nord Stream-2 is intended by the Kremlin to put greater Europe in exactly the energy-vulnerable position Ukraine is in now and has been in for decades.

The Right (and Wrong) Way to Deal With Nord Stream 2

Merkel protege suggests reducing gas flow through Nord Stream 2 pipeline


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U.S. House Of Representatives Condemns Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

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12/12/18
The U.S. House of Representatives has condemned the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline, saying the undersea project will boost Russian control over Europe’s energy supplies. The measure, passed on December 11 by the lower house of Congress, was a symbolic resolution. But it was the latest effort by U.S. authorities to try and block the $11 billion project. According to the bipartisan resolution, the pipeline is a "drastic step backwards for European energy security and United States interests," and it called for European governments to reject the project. The measure also urged President Donald Trump to "use all available means to support European energy security." Nord Stream 2 would run under the Baltic Sea, bringing Russian gas directly to Western Europe and bypassing the existing networks running through Ukraine. Washington has stepped up efforts to try and thwart the project. A day earlier, Francis Fannon, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources, warned that Russia wanted to increase leverage over Europe, and its grip over Ukraine, using Nord Stream 2.

Germany's foreign minister has said Berlin will not withdraw its political support for it and Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she secured a pledge from Russian President Vladimir Putin allowing gas shipments across Ukraine's territory. The project, however, has been opposed both by Trump and his predecessor, Barack Obama, as a tool for Russia to consolidate its sway over Europe. Putin has said that Nord Stream 2 is purely economic and not directed against other countries. Russian gas could continue to go through Ukraine if the pipeline is completed, he has said. Ukraine, which has been in conflict with Russia since Moscow annexed the Crimea Peninsula in 2014, has warned that Moscow would use the pipeline as a political weapon.

Putin isn't laying 1,230 kilometers of pipeline under the Baltic Sea to continue gas transit through Ukraine. Merkel knows quite well that Moscow has reneged on all of its treaties and assurances to Ukraine. Just two weeks ago Moscow violated international maritime law and a mutual treaty with Ukraine regarding the Sea of Azov. 24 kidnapped Ukrainian sailors are still held in Russian captivity. Nord Stream 2 is the sole foreign policy issue in which I agree with the Trump administration. To put it plainly, Putin will use this Sword of Damocles as blackmail against Europe, and/or as a tool to divide the EU.

Related: Pipeline From Hell? | Nord Stream 2 And Why It's So Contentious
 
Part of his post is accurate... Scots had a huge hand in moderm technology and society and have much to be proud of...

Of course many of the thinkers and inventors were not in Scotland at the time and flourished in much better climes.
My amusement rests more in this reminding me of the near provincial capital of Malaga proudly boasting of having birthed (and thus created) Pablo Picasso. They've even named their airport after him.

Neatly suppressing the fact that he couldn't get out fast enough, even before he was of age, visited back only once to call the place a craphole and achieved world fame somewhere completely else, since he never could have done that here.

Being proud of one's country is all good and well, taking the sublime to the cor'blimey does cause merriment though.

I'm waiting to hear that the human race evolved in the Hebrides.:lol:

Well, just confirming your point by different example, I guess.;)
 
My amusement rests more in this reminding me of the near provincial capital of Malaga proudly boasting of having birthed (and thus created) Pablo Picasso. They've even named their airport after him.

Neatly suppressing the fact that he couldn't get out fast enough, even before he was of age, visited back only once to call the place a craphole and achieved world fame somewhere completely else, since he never could have done that here.

Being proud of one's country is all good and well, taking the sublime to the cor'blimey does cause merriment though.

I'm waiting to hear that the human race evolved in the Hebrides.:lol:

Well, just confirming your point by different example, I guess.;)

Interesting note about Malaga. I found it to be a nice place to visit.

Yeah, I am reminded of a quote: "12 highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion..."

All Godric needs is 11 more highlanders and he can rent a bagpipe.
 
Interesting note about Malaga. I found it to be a nice place to visit.
Oh, it's great this day and age. Just that in Picasso's childhood and youth it was the sticks. With the whole of Andalusia being the poorhouse of Spain, exceeded only by Extremadura. Owned by absentee nobility landlords who had it run by clergy that had barely surpassed the Inquisition.

Not the place for art to flourish nor, for that matter, any sort of creative thought.
Yeah, I am reminded of a quote: "12 highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion..."

All Godric needs is 11 more highlanders and he can rent a bagpipe.
and the answer to why they can't play the pipes without marching as well, lies simply in the fact that a moving target is harder to hit.:lol:
 
Russia Gas Pipeline to Boost Grip on Ukraine and Europe, U.S. Diplomat Says | The Moscow Times

781e50dd696b42f58415e35afc308d67.jpg




Putin never does anything without underlying political reasons. His main reasons for the NS-2 project are: 1. Eliminate energy competition (US/Iran/SA) in the Europe market. 2. NS-2 will ensure Europe is a captive market. 3. NS-2 will serve as a Kremlin political-leverage bludgeon since there will be few viable energy alternatives. 4. NS-2 will economically punish Ukraine for joining Europe and divorcing itself from Moscow.

"
Renewable Energy Will Be Consistently Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels By 2020,
The organisation – which has more than 150 member countries – says the cost of generating power from onshore wind has fallen by around 23% since 2010 while the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity has fallen by 73% in that time. With further price falls expected for these and other green energy options, IRENA says all renewable energy technologies should be competitive on price with fossil fuels by 2020. "https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2018/01/13/renewable-energy-cost-effective-fossil-fuels-2020/#1d27268b4ff2
 
U.S. House Of Representatives Condemns Russia's Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

3E8EDB01-9222-49EB-9699-53B643CB0EC5_w650_r1_s.jpg




Putin isn't laying 1,230 kilometers of pipeline under the Baltic Sea to continue gas transit through Ukraine. Merkel knows quite well that Moscow has reneged on all of its treaties and assurances to Ukraine. Just two weeks ago Moscow violated international maritime law and a mutual treaty with Ukraine regarding the Sea of Azov. 24 kidnapped Ukrainian sailors are still held in Russian captivity. Nord Stream 2 is the sole foreign policy issue in which I agree with the Trump administration. To put it plainly, Putin will use this Sword of Damocles as blackmail against Europe, and/or as a tool to divide the EU.

Related: Pipeline From Hell? | Nord Stream 2 And Why It's So Contentious

America can cry and whine all they want ..... but it has feck all to do with america .... we can make our decisions for ourselves and we don't need or WANT interference from the USA .... so please mind your own business
 
i am no friend of Europe .... you haven't a clue son ... just give up whilst your two miles behind .... Scotland will be leaving the UK to remain in the EU ... because we are very much PRO European .... we are just not America's little bitches like the English

and we won't be part of NATO when we leave the UK ... contrary to US belief NATO does not equal the EU



you seriously don't have a clue ... during the cold war the Soviet Union didn't cut off the gas to the EU

Great post Godric.

I don't agree with you on the EU, but you are consistent and honest in your pro EU and pro independence cause.

Our American propagandists frequently refer to Russia cutting off gas supplies to Europe. In fact this has never happened in history. Shortages have however been caused by Ukraine illegally siphoning off gas in transit to Europe, thus reducing pressure and causing problems in the West Europe.

Facts are facts, and the truth is that the problem state is Ukraine, which is precisely why Germany backs Nordstream 2. Europe needs to secure its energy supply by cutting out its so called ally which in reality is a rogue, bankrupt, oligarach run state . This is the reality that you so rightly speak about.
 
Great post Godric.

I don't agree with you on the EU, but you are consistent and honest in your pro EU and pro independence cause.

Our American propagandists frequently refer to Russia cutting off gas supplies to Europe. In fact this has never happened in history. Shortages have however been caused by Ukraine illegally siphoning off gas in transit to Europe, thus reducing pressure and causing problems in the West Europe.

Facts are facts, and the truth is that the problem state is Ukraine, which is precisely why Germany backs Nordstream 2. Europe needs to secure its energy supply by cutting out its so called ally which in reality is a rogue, bankrupt, oligarach run state . This is the reality that you so rightly speak about.

Why lie?

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/world/europe/07gazprom.html

Jan 6, 2009

MOSCOW — Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, halted nearly all its natural gas exports to Europe on Tuesday, sharply escalating its pricing dispute with neighboring Ukraine. The cutoff led to immediate shortages from France to Turkey and underscored Moscow’s increasingly confrontational posture toward the West.

Across Europe, countries reported precipitous drops in gas pressure in their pipelines at the peak of the winter heating season in a bitterly cold January.

In one sign of the extent of the shutoff, Ukraine’s president, Viktor A. Yushchenko, said Gazprom intended to halt all shipments passing through his country, which account for about 80 percent of Russian gas exports to Europe. Europe, in turn, depends on Russia for 40 percent of its imported fuel.

While each side blamed the other for the scope of the latest drop in gas shipments, Russia’s prime minister, Vladimir V. Putin, had personally announced Monday evening on state television that he was ordering a sharp reduction in gas flows, saying Ukraine was siphoning gas from the pipelines without paying.


---

Putin Cuts Off Gas Supply To Six European Countries Without Warning - CBW.ge

/ World / Putin Cuts Off Gas Supply To Six European Countries Without Warning
Putin Cuts Off Gas Supply To Six European Countries Without Warning

January 19, 2015 1,507 Views

On January 14, Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s natural gas monopoly, Gazprom, to cut back by 60% the natural gas delivered to Europe through Ukraine. His ostensible reason: Ukraine was illegally siphoning off gas for its own use—a charge Ukraine denies. Overall Europe depends on Russia for 30% of its gas supplies, and some 80% of Europe’s Russian natural gas comes via Ukraine. Putin’s order would leave six countries in eastern and southeastern Europe totally without gas.

Gazprom announced that it will instead ship gas previously transiting Ukraine to the Greek-Turkish border via a Black-Sea underwater pipeline. Gazprom’s CEO brushed off European objections that it has no infrastructure to handle such shipments, stating that “We have informed our European partners, and now it is up to them to put in place the necessary infrastructure starting from the Turkish-Greek border.” In other words, Europe must undertake a massive infrastructure investment to replace a well-functioning transmission system, just for Putin’s convenience.

European Energy officials issued the following angry statement: “Without prior warning and in clear contradiction with the reassurances given by the highest Russian and Ukrainian authorities to the European Union, gas supplies to some EU member states have been substantially cut.”
 
Nord Stream 2 is a trap of Germany’s own making

Nord Stream 2 has been contentious since its inception in 2015 because it will deprive Ukraine of most of the estimated $2bn it earns annually in gas transit fees. It is opposed by the United States, while most of Eastern Europe is also against it. Concern has also been expressed by France, the U.K., Sweden, and Canada, and last month lawmakers in the German and European parliaments signed a letter to Angela Merkel asking her to stop the pipeline. Over the past week, all three candidates to replace Ms Merkel as leader of her Christian Democratic party spoke out against the pipeline, as have senior Social Democrats and Greens. The chancellor herself championed Ukraine’s right to seek alignment with Europe a few days ago, while Heiko Maas, her foreign minister, has taken pains to distance himself from the SPD’s tradition of equidistant between the west and Moscow. The Kremlin, meanwhile, roundly rejected Berlin’s attempt to mediate. All of which invites the question: Why is the German government still defending Nord Stream 2?

Today, Russia and China are backing autocrats and weaponizing interdependence—in trade, infrastructure, and cyber space—against the West. Gazprom’s pipelines to Europe were recently decried as of doubtful commercial value by Russian experts. But geopolitically, they are hugely useful tools of control and coercion. Berlin’s options for wriggling out of a trap of its own making are few. Reversing permits on national security grounds would mean incurring punitive damages. Ms. Merkel has noted that Germany could also play the coercion game by curbing gas inflows. But that would still leave Ukraine at the Kremlin’s mercy. Two choices remain. Berlin could submit to U.S. sanctions. Or it could stop blocking the European Commission’s efforts to apply EU competition rules. Both are unpleasant. But consider the alternative. A finished Nord Stream 2, by circumventing Ukraine, removes Kiev’s most powerful deterrent against further aggression by Moscow. It fatally undermines European cohesion, and Germany’s credibility as a trustworthy neighbor. That would be a very high price to pay.

And by the way - in spring of 2018 Ukraine won its lawsuit against Russia over natural gas transit fees. Moscow's reaction? To not pay up and and to turn off Russian gas running through Ukraine to Europe......

In Shocking Turn Of Events, Russia Now Owes Ukraine Billions

Ukraine's Naftogaz Starts Trying To Recover $2.6 Billion Owed By Gazprom
 
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