22 July 2021, 09:39
Ukraine initiates consultations with European Commission and Germany on “Nord Stream-2”
Pursuant to Article 274 of the Association Agreement with the EU,
Ukraine is officially initiating consultations with the European
Commission and Germany on “Nord Stream-2” pipeline, which threatens
Ukraine's security and violates the principles of diversification of
the EU Energy Union. The Foreign Ministry has already sent relevant
notes to Brussels and Berlin. The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced
this on his Twitter.
In addition, Ukraine and Poland issued a joint statement on the Russian
gas pipeline.
In it, Ukraine and Poland state that they will work with their allies
and partners to counter the launch of “Nord Stream-2” until solutions
are developed to overcome the security crisis, support countries in
their aspirations to become members of Western democratic institutions,
minimize threats to peace and energy security.
“The decision to build “Nord Stream-2”, approved in 2015 months after
Russia's invasion and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory, has
created a political and security crisis and a crisis of trust in
Europe,” the statement said. “Currently, this crisis is significantly
exacerbated by the refusal to try to stop the gas pipeline completion.
This decision created additional political, military and energy threats
for Ukraine and Central Europe in general. At the same time, it
increases Russia's ability to have a destructive effect on the security
situation in Europe, and deepens differences between NATO and the EU
member states.”
Ukraine and Poland note that any credible attempt to restore the
balance of security in the region should take into account possible
negative risks in three areas: political, military and energy. It shall
also be democratic, providing for negotiations with the governments of
the countries, which are the most affected by “Nord Stream-2” at the
stage of negotiating the agreement.
The night before, Germany and the United States officially announced an
agreement that the Russian gas pipeline would be completed. The joint
declaration of the parties was issued. It states that the United States
and Germany have steadfastly supported Ukraine's sovereignty,
territorial integrity, independence, and European path: “Today, we are
committed to resisting Russian aggression and criminal activity in
Ukraine and abroad. The United States is committed to supporting
Germany's and France's efforts to bring peace to Eastern Ukraine
through the Normandy format. Germany will intensify its efforts under
the Normandy format to facilitate the implementation of the Minsk
agreements.”
The declaration states that the United States and Germany are united in
their determination to hold Russia to account for its aggression and
malign activities by imposing costs via sanctions and other tools: “The
United States and the EU remain prepared, including with appropriate
tools and mechanisms, to respond together to Russian aggression and
malign activities, including Russian efforts to use energy as a weapon.
Should Russia attempt to use energy as a weapon or commit further
aggressive acts against Ukraine, Germany will take action at the
national level and press for effective measures at the European level,
including sanctions, to limit Russian export capabilities to Europe in
the energy sector, including gas, and/or in other economically relevant
sectors”.
The Parties state that they support the energy security of Ukraine and
Central and Eastern Europe, including the key principles enshrined in
the EU's Third Energy Package on diversity and security of supply.
Germany emphasizes that it will adhere to both the letter and the
spirit of the Third Energy Package on “Nord Stream-2”, which is under
German jurisdiction. Germany also undertakes to use all available
levers to facilitate the extension of Ukraine's gas transit agreement
with Russia for up to 10 years, including the appointment of a special
representative to support these negotiations, which should begin as
soon as possible and no later than 1 September. The United States is
committed to fully supporting these efforts.
Germany commits to establish and administer a Green Fund for Ukraine to
support Ukraine s energy transition, energy efficiency, and energy
security. “Germany and the United States will endeavor to promote and
support investments of at least $1 billion in the Green Fund for
Ukraine, including from third parties such as private-sector entities.
Germany will provide an initial donation to the fund of at least $175
million and will work toward extending its commitments in the coming
budget years. The fund will promote the use of renewable energy,
facilitate the development of hydrogen, increase energy efficiency,
accelerate the transition from coal and foster carbon neutrality,” the
statement said. The United States plans to support this initiative with
technical assistance and policy support.
In addition, Germany will continue to support bilateral energy projects
with Ukraine, especially in the field of renewable energy and energy
efficiency, as well as coal transition support, including the
appointment of a special envoy with dedicated funding of $70 million.
Germany is also ready to launch Ukraine Resilience Package to support
Ukraine s energy security. This will include efforts to safeguard and
increase the capacity for reverse flows of gas to Ukraine, with the aim
of shielding Ukraine completely from potential future attempts by
Russia to cut gas supplies to the country.
Ukraine and Poland declare in a joint statement that: “Unfortunately,
the current proposals to fill the security gap that is emerging cannot
be considered sufficient to effectively minimize the threats posed by
“Nord Stream-2”. We call on the United States and Germany to respond
adequately to the security crisis in our region, the only beneficiary
of which is Russia,” the statement said.