The detention of Ukrainian ships has weakened support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Europe

The detention of Ukrainian warships in December could cost Russia dearly: because of this, support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from the ruling German coalition has weakened, writes Bloomberg.

Read more . Both German officials and Germany's allies in Europe are reconsidering their attitude to the project, which will double the supply of natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. This shift could force Angela Merkel's government to increase pressure on a third of the pipeline already built and possibly delay its implementation.

• The fact that the discussion around Nord Stream 2 has become tougher , in particular, says Niels Schmid, a member of the Bundestag from the SPD. Schmid, whose party has been a staunch supporter of the project, told Bloomberg that Moscow and Kyiv must resolve their dispute over gas transit through Ukraine before the pipeline is laid.
• Pressure on supporters of the pipeline is exerted by the position of US President Donald Trump. In the summer, he accused Germany of excessive purchases of Russian gas, which turned it into a "hostage" of Russia.
• from attacks It has become even more difficult to defend relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the November capture of two dozen Ukrainian sailors, Bloomberg continues. The incident near the Kerch Strait has called into question the prospects for the success of Merkel's diplomacy in the issue of a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, explains Jürgen Hardt, a member of parliament from the Christian Democratic Union.
• Merkel changed her position on Nord Stream back in April last year, acknowledging the political aspect of laying the pipeline and thus changing her previous position that it was a purely commercial venture. The project should not weaken Ukraine by destroying its gas transportation system, she said.
• The United States has already made it clear that sanctions for the construction of the gas pipeline are inevitable. The restrictions could hit companies in Austria, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Gazprom's partners in the project are Royal Dutch Shell, Wintershall (a division of BASF), Uniper, OMV and Engie.

Vladimir Motorin