Opinion Zelensky must tell Biden to stop Nord Stream 2

For the first time in four years, a Ukrainian president is coming to the White House.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with his American counterpart. It is possible to cover one variety of topics: the state of relations with Russia. Ukrainians are fighting corruption. and the challenges of the pandemic. After thanking President Biden for America’s continued support and assistance, the Ukrainian leader can gently ask about NATO membership.

It should be a good meeting. But there will be a big elephant in the room: Nord Stream 2. Beloved by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the gas pipeline threatens the security of Europe and Ukraine in particular. The time to stop the project, now at the end of the completion, is running out: Now or never. At the risk of having a pleasant meeting, Mr Zelensky should tell Mr Biden without a doubt that Nord Stream 2 should stop.

The Biden government, to be sure, never had much time to stop the project. Until Mr. Biden is sworn in, more than 90 percent of the pipeline, the first sections of which were installed July 2018 was completed. Even so, the first signs showed that the new administration wanted to stop it. Mr Biden had previously stated that the pipeline was a bad deal for Europe, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the government was determined to do what we can to prevent the completion of projects. Then the administration changed course. In July, the United States issued one joint statement with Germany on Nord Stream 2 which effectively gave Russia permission to complete the project.

The move shocked American allies in Europe, where many countries oppose the project. Domestically, it also collapsed badly: A bilateral group of lawmakers, terrified by the face, tried to convince the administration to stop the completion of the pipeline. But it was Ukraine and Poland, the two countries with the most to lose from Nord Stream 2, whose response was the most aggressive.

The foreign ministers of the countries, none of whom took part in the negotiations between Germany and the United States, also issued their own statement, claiming that the political, national and economic security of Europeans would be threatened by Nord Stream 2. A comprehensive project, they said, would enable Russia to destabilize the security situation in EuropeThey have a point. There are many reasons why Nord Stream 2 would be disastrous, not only for Ukraine and Poland, but for the whole of Europe.

Running from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, Nord Stream 2 would give Russia a direct route to the heart of Europe. That would be what Europe, which is importing today, would do more than a third of gas from Russia, even more so it depends on a great degree about the country that effectively provides him with one energy monopoly over the continent. Harmful consequences are easy to predict: If relations were worse, Russia could turn off the gas flow in Europe, potentially leaving millions of Europeans without it.

Then there is Ukraine. The country wins one $ 1 billion annually in transit from its pipeline to Poland: If Nord Stream 2 is completed, the Ukrainian-Polish pipeline would be obsolete, depriving Ukraine of one of the poorest countries in Europe, according to the International Monetary Fund significant revenue.

In addition, Europeans’ dependence on Russian gas could encourage the country I stir further in the affairs of Ukraine, without fear of repercussions. This could lead to an escalation of the conflict in Donbas, a long-running Russian military invasion of eastern Ukraine that has resulted in death. over 14,000 people and the displacement of nearly two million or even an attempt by Russia to unite eastern Ukraine with Crimea.

Finally, there are the economic consequences for Poland. The country is currently importing natural gas from the Ukrainian-Polish pipeline. Nord Stream 2 would put an end to this. Instead, Poland would be forced to buy gas from Germany higher ratesFor the relative financial health of all countries, this is something that its citizens can not afford.

The case is clear. For reasons of economy, energy and national security, the pipeline must be shut down. Basically, this is still possible. US sanctions on the project that was previously stopped, as well as the companies that were responsible for the construction and installation of the pipeline abandoned the projectAll it would take to stop it altogether was for the Biden government to reverse it recent resignation on additional sanctions on Nord Stream 2. Several members of Congress and European leaders are in favor of this option. Objections from Germany, the main beneficiary of the projects, can be eased by highlighting the many long-term benefits for Europe.

This is the best-case scenario, and Mr Zelensky must push hard for it. However, he will have to ask for additional assurances in his meeting with Mr. Biden. While the US-German joint statement various economic and energy provisions, such as investing in green technology infrastructure in Ukraine and providing assistance for its transition to green energy, are nowhere near the $ 1 billion that Ukraine will lose in annual transit fees.

Mr Zelensky must demand, for both his country and Poland, financial assistance and construction of the infrastructure required for alternative energy. And he will have to press Biden to discuss how Ukraine, with US funds, training and assistance, can strengthen its defenses, reform its military and prevent Russian aggression.

Tuesday’s meeting presents Mr Zelensky with an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries. But it is also a last chance to stop Nord Stream 2. If it can convince Biden, it would be a great victory for all of Europe, protecting it from a strategically destructive dependence on Russian gas.

But if Mr Zelensky fails, the only winner will be Russia. And no compensation can reverse it.