Germany warns “heavy consequences” if Russia attacks Ukraine

German Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck has warned that the Russian gas pipeline “North 2” could face “serious consequences” from Germany if Russia attacks Ukraine.

“Any new military action cannot pass without serious consequences”, Habeck said, referring to the gathering of Russian troops at the border with Ukraine.

“The issue of operating (the North Stream gas pipeline 2H) remains open and must be decided according to European and German law”, he added.

However, regarding the pipeline, no one can be expected if there are new violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity”, the German minister said in an interview published on December 19th in Frankfurter, Allgemen Zeitung.

Is it Russia's fault that Europe has a lack of natural gas?

Habeck also said that a Russian invasion would push Berlin to reconsider its co-operation with Moscow as far as the pipeline is concerned.

The “North Stream pipeline 2” is said to double natural gas supplies from Russia to Germany. But this project has dragged on for years and has been criticised by Germany's allies in the European Union, including Poland.

The United States and Ukraine oppose this pipeline as they argue it would endanger Europe's energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas. But it would also be impossible for Ukraine to earn from gas transmission taxes.

The new German government has only threatened to block the operation of the pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine.

In the event we have further escalations, this gas pipeline will not be functional”, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has declared.

Project “North Stream 2” is awaiting approval by German regulators. The company that controls this pipeline has submitted documents to resume the certificate process. But even if approved by German regulators, the operation of the pipeline must also be approved by the European Commission. / REL/