Germany has indicated it may stop the gas pipelines if Russia enters Ukraine

Germany has indicated it may stop the gas pipelines if Russia enters Ukraine. 

Washington: Germany announced on Tuesday that it might stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia should Moscow invade Ukraine, and Western nations backed Kyiv over the Russian troop increase, which has raised fears of conflict.

Moving to a higher level of diplomacy following talks with Russia could not conclude this week. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Kyiv on Wednesday before traveling towards Berlin for talks on “joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine” in conjunction with German, British and French officials.

As the threat of war grew, Britain said it was providing Ukraine with anti-tank weapons this week. 

Canadian foreign minister traveled to Ukraine in the same week. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock had talks with Ukrainian officials in Moscow and Kyiv to reduce tensions.

Baerbock advised that Moscow will suffer if Moscow strikes at its neighbor, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz signaled that Berlin’s response could include stopping the Nord Stream 2 pipeline bringing gas to Germany.

When asked about the pipeline following the meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Scholz declared that it’s “clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine.”

Scholz has stated previously that Germany is willing to take on sanctions in the possibility of a Russian attack and that all options are on the table. This includes Nord Stream 2. 

It is being constructed but is not yet gaining the necessary approvals to proceed with its construction.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after meeting Baerbock on Tuesday that the pipeline will boost European energy security once it is opened, and “attempts to politicize this project” are counterproductive.

Russia isn’t planning to attack Ukraine. However, it says it may conduct unspecified military operations if its demands – such as the promise of the NATO alliance not to recognize Kyiv as a member.

A large number of Russian troops are still residing near Ukraine’s borders. In addition, Moscow has sent troops and equipment to Belarus this week to prepare for exercises with its top ally. This has raised further concerns to the Western world.

The tensions have pushed the Russian ruble down to the U.S. dollar, and Russian stocks have plummeted.