US sees no need for new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 - White House

The official added that Washington had "a range of contingencies" and continued to work to be lockstep with its partners

The US administration rejects the approach that envisages new tough sanctions against Nord Stream 2 pipeline project participants at this point, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

"I would say that <…> there’s a disagreement <…> between us and some in Congress who suggest that sanctioning Nord Stream 2 now would be effective. We don’t agree. We believe that it is a point of leverage," she said, adding that "that making clear it will not proceed if Russia invades is a point of leverage."

"And that’s why we’re proceeding on the path we are. We don’t think that approach [of tough sanctions at this point] would work," the spokesperson added.

She did not answer directly to the question about whether the United States and its allies would view a powerful Russian cyberattack on Ukraine as a reason to undertake new measures against the gas pipeline project.

"Obviously, we don’t think Nord Stream 2 is a good deal or a good project; we’ve been very clear about that," Psaki said. "And I think, right now, what we’re focused on is what we think the right diplomatic tactic is, as it relates to deterrence, which is part of approach."

The official added that Washington had "a range of contingencies" and continued to work to be lockstep with its partners.

The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Its construction was fully completed on September 10, 2021.