Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Wednesday urged Germany to stop Nord Stream 2 construction after the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The call highlights Warsaw’s view that the project can disrupt the stability of the region. According to Morawiecki, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline can help Putin to strengthen Russia’s military power to intimidate other nations.
The 55 Bcm/year Nord Stream 2 is under construction and is 90% complete. The pipeline will double the existing capacity of the Nord Stream 1 and reduce Russia’s need to use Ukraine as the main gas transit to Europe. The attempted murder to Navalny has prompted German politician, including chancellor Angela Merkel, to say that they could withhold support to the project.
The Nord Stream 2 construction was halted when the US imposed sanctions on it in December. The US also threatened to sanction a German port that involves in the construction of the pipeline’s final section. Germany is currently consulting EU and NATO allies regarding response to Russia if the country fails to explain the Navalny case.
Poland also meets most of its gas requirements from Russia but has long opposed the Nord Stream 2 because it will further reinforce Russia’s dominance in Europe’s energy market.
