Nord Stream: Agentur: USA und Russland sprachen angeblich über US-Einstieg bei Nord Stream

According to insiders, high-ranking representatives from Russia and the United States reportedly discussed the possibility of a US investor taking a stake in the Nord Stream pipelines. Among those present in the talks were Kirill Dmitrijew, a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin, and Jared Kushner, the US Special Envoy, the latter being the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump.

The discussions also involved the US Department of Development Finance (DFC) and the German Ministry of Finance. However, there have been no recent talks about Nord Stream, according to insiders.

Dmitrijew and Kushner reportedly met in Moscow and New York in recent weeks, though it is unclear how often they discussed Nord Stream. The topic remains on the agenda. The German government remains steadfast in its stance against reviving the pipelines, which are subject to EU sanctions. The German Ministry of Economics stated that Nord Stream pipelines are subject to European sanctions due to the 18th sanctions package explicitly endorsed by Germany.

Germany has managed to reduce its dependence on Russian gas through extensive measures. The Bundesnetzagentur would need to certify any resumption, a decision to be agreed upon with member states and the EU Commission. No party desires a scenario where Nord Stream falls into American hands, warned Green Bundestag deputy Michael Kellner, who previously handled energy policy.

Kellner expressed concern that a "dirty deal" would harm Europe, with potential profit-sharing between Americans and Russians, exploiting Europe. The pipelines were heavily damaged before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Germany relied on more than half of its gas supply from Russia via the Nord Stream pipelines, which were halted after Russia reduced deliveries to Europe.

In September 2022, they were severely damaged by underwater explosions. Both the US and EU have sanctioned the pipelines, making any resumption illegal. However, Trump could lift or ease US sanctions, though significant obstacles would remain. The pipeline's owner is 51% owned by the Russian state-owned Gazprom. Despite the German government's rejection of a revival, the AfD (Alternative for Germany) supports it.

Insider sources suggest Dmitrijew plans to meet with AfD leadership at the beginning of next year to discuss a potential new sale of Russian gas. Kushner and Dmitrijew are also reportedly discussing the sale of business units from the Russian energy conglomerate Lukoil, including oil refineries and tank farms in Europe. A consortium comprising DFC, investors from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, would purchase the assets, with US authorities lifting the sanctions, according to insider accounts. A White House spokesperson confirmed that Kushner had been negotiating with DFC over a Lukoil deal.