OREANDA-NEWS. Theoretically, the commissioning of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is possible without the certification of the regulator. This is reported by the German newspaper Handelsblatt.

“Theoretically, commissioning is possible even without certification of the regulator <...> a one-time fine of up to €1 million can be introduced. Compared to the estimated cost of building a gas pipeline of more than €10 billion, the amount will be insignificant,” the report says.

Earlier, the head of the German Ministry of Economy, Robert Habek, said that after the Russian military operation in the Donbass, the launch of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is impossible in the short and medium term.

On the eve of the US Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against the operating company "Nord Stream - 2" and its chief executive Matthias Warnig.

According to the ministry, the sanctions are based on the 2019 European Energy Security Protection Act. The agency also set the deadline for completing all transactions with Nord Stream 2 AG on March 22, 2022.

Earlier it was reported that sanctions against the operating company of Nord Stream 2 would not affect former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has been heading the Nord Stream AG shareholders' committee since 2005.

US President Joe Biden announced the imposition of sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG and its management. According to Biden, "through his actions, President Putin has given the world an irresistible incentive to abandon Russian gas." He added that Washington would not hesitate to decide on further sanctions in the event of an escalation.



According to the ministry, the sanctions are based on the 2019 European Energy Security Protection Act.