By DAVID RISING
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday defended her country’s ongoing cooperation with Russia on the building of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline amid growing criticism of Moscow’s treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny and aggression toward Ukraine.
In an online appearance before the Council of Europe, Merkel noted that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline isn’t yet completed but Russian gas already flows freely into Europe along other routes, including the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea to Germany.
“I know that there is controversy about Nord Stream 2 and I know the opinion of many member states,” she said. “But I would like to point out that the gas delivered through Nord Stream 2, which isn’t yet flowing, is no worse than the gas from Nord Stream 1, that which flows through Ukraine, and that which comes across Turkey from Russia.”
Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russian state company Gazprom, with investment from several European companies, and Merkel noted that it had appropriate EU approvals.
It is being built under the Baltic, bypassing Poland and Ukraine and raising objections in both those countries. The United States has also vocally opposed the pipeline, saying it would make Europe too dependent on Russian gas.
Merkel said Germany has “great concerns” about Navalny’s treatment, and is part of European Union sanctions on Russia related to his case, as well as over Ukraine. But the idea of terminating the Nord Stream 2 project raises broader questions, she said.
“I have the impression that with Nord Stream 2 we may be waging a conflict that is much wider, and touches upon the question of the extent to which we want to trade with Russia, especially in the energy sector,” she said.
Germany has frequently noted that even at the height of the Cold War, Western Europe relied on energy supplies from Russia, and Merkel said that, for her, dialogue remained the best recourse to resolving differences.
“We have many conflicts with Russia that unfortunately make our relationship difficult,” she said. “But despite that I’m always someone who says we must talk with one another.”
(c) AP
The evil Stasi skank has been working for Russia since day one. She is as guilty as the nazi scum and putler employee Gerhard Schröder.
Once, I and many others considered Schröder to be the worst chancellor since the end of WWII … and then came something worse called fat Muslima Merkel … a loser in every possible category of life and politics, including appearance.
“We have many conflicts with Russia that unfortunately make our relationship difficult,” she said. “But despite that I’m always someone who says we must talk with one another.”
Really Merkel? In 20 years of dealing with the terrorist state, just what exactly has talking solved? Putin openly stated he wants to recreate the USSR, and you are helping him. You will be gone in a few months, some legacy you leave, Islamization of Europe, Russification of Europe, all down to you. Let’s hope your successor is not another Russian stooge.
I doubt she even understands that if NS2 is opened Ukraine transit will be cut off completely. She insisted on guarantees for years but they never came to pass. This is complete capitulation for money just as Scradge points out, in the steps of disgraced Shroeder.
We all know how Russia never breaks agreements. No sooner would that pipeline come online, than Putler will cut the gas, and if Germany complain, their gas will be cut off too. I’m afraid there is going to be a lot of people saying “I told you so” in the next few years, but the fat bitch will be on the board of Gazprom with buddy Schroeder, and won’t give a toss about the destuction she left behind. I just wonder what Putin has on Merkel, must be something good?
If NSII should really pass gas one day (pun intended) I hope that mafia land will use it to apply political pressure on Germanystan. They don’t deserve anything less.
This fat maggot has eaten itself too far into the flesh called Nord Stream II to find its way back out without losing the last bit of credibility with her faceless fiends in politics and industry.