Germany agreed Wednesday to warn Russia of potential sanctions and to support Ukraine’s energy sector financially in a deal with the United States to settle a bitter rift between the allies over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
President Joe Biden’s Republican rivals swiftly denounced the agreement and said it would embolden President Vladimir Putin, but the administration said it was too late to stop the pipeline and the deal instead secured a better outcome.
“This is a bad situation and a bad pipeline but we need to help protect Ukraine and I feel that we have made some significant steps in that direction,” Victoria Nuland, the under secretary of state for political affairs, said as she unveiled details before a Senate haring.
Biden, who welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel last week, already waived the toughest sanctions required by Congress over Nord Stream 2 which will connect Russia and Germany through the Baltic Sea and is expected to be complete within weeks.
The pipeline has been vigorously opposed by many of Russia’s neighbors — especially Ukraine, which has been battling pro-Moscow separatists since 2014.
Ukraine sees the flow of Russian gas through its territory en route to Europe both as leverage and an indispensable financial boon, with transit fees bringing some $3 billion a year.
In a joint statement with the United States, Germany said that it had committed to respond to Russia if Ukraine’s fears materialize.
“Should Russia attempt to use energy as a weapon or commit further aggressive acts against Ukraine, Germany will take action at the national level and press for effective measures at the European level, including sanctions, to limit Russian export capabilities to Europe in the energy sector,” it said.
Germany also said it would use all leverage to persuade Russia to extend by up to 10 years a gas transit agreement through Ukraine that is set to expire at the end of 2024, including by appointing a special envoy by September 1 to support negotiations.
The Kremlin said that Merkel raised an extension in transit rights in a call Wednesday with Putin and also that the two leaders were “satisfied” that Nord Stream 2 was near completion.
– Reassuring Ukraine –
Ukraine and Poland made clear they still opposed the pipeline, saying together that it threatens Central Europe.
Germany also agreed to help Ukraine reduce reliance on Russian energy including by setting up a fund of at least $1 billion.
Addressing another key priority of Merkel and Biden, the fund will support renewable energy and reductions in carbon emissions blamed for climate change.
In a show of support for Kiev, the White House announced that Biden will receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 30.
Germany, which had intense friction with former president Donald Trump, has hailed the approach of Biden as a revitalization of the alliance.
“I am relieved that we have found a constructive solution regarding Nord Stream 2,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
US officials said they expected Germany to adhere to its promises even after Merkel leaves office later this year.
– Furor from Republicans –
Republicans swiftly criticized the agreement, saying it betrayed Ukraine and would strengthen the hand of Putin, under whom Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz has pointed to concerns about Nord Stream as he holds up confirmations of key Biden appointees to diplomatic posts.
“We always knew Biden was in bed with Putin; now they’re spooning,” Cruz said.
Biden has also faced criticism from Democrats on Nord Stream 2 but his defenders call the Republican attacks farcical, noting that Trump unabashedly praised Putin and showed distaste for Ukraine, with his strong-arming of Zelensky triggering his first impeachment.
Nuland, a former career diplomat famous for rallying behind pro-Western protesters in Ukraine in 2013, bluntly replied to Cruz at the Senate hearing that the Trump administration, which took over in 2017, bore responsibility.
“I believe that we were in 2016 on our way to stopping the pipeline,” she said. “When the Biden administration came into office four years later, that pipeline was 90 percent-plus complete.”
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