Richard Grenell comments on U.S. position on Nord Stream 2

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said the U.S. views the Nord Stream 2 project as a danger to European energy security, and "the reputational costs and sanctions risk."

However, the diplomat refused to comment on any specific punitive measures that the U.S. government might impose.

In an interview with the German outlet Rheinische Post, he pointed out that he sees protecting his fellow citizens and defending his homeland’s interests as a diplomat’s central responsibility, and as the US government and Congress have clear reservations about energy security and the geopolitical impact of Nord Stream 2, he will continue to push U.S. policy.

According to Grenell, Nord Stream 2 is not an economic venture, but a project that was developed "for only one reason": to create an alternative route for transporting Russian gas on its way to Europe that does not pass through Ukraine.

"Germany should take into account the concerns of the other EU member states and its neighbours, regarding the negative impact of the pipeline project on them," U.S. the ambassador said, welcoming critical opinions of some politicians and business leaders, heard in Germany, according to him.