In talks with Germany the United States has proposed lifting sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, according to the German daily "Handelsblatt".
Reportedly, the new administration of Joe Biden has already signalled its readiness for talks, which calmed the mood in Berlin, to which the project is of great importance.
'Handelsblatt' wrote that after several years of Donald Trump's tough course against the construction of the German-Russian gas pipeline, the first indication is that Washington wants to end the conflict with Berlin.
Citing sources close to Berlin, the daily reported that Washington has allegedly proposed for the first time to the German federal government the lifting of sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
According to the daily, one of the American officials participating in the talks stressed that "Germany must put a package of solutions on the table" to ensure energy security in Europe and to stop the growing dependence of European countries on Russian gas.
The German newspaper noted that Angela Merkel's government reportedly "breathed a sigh of relief" at the news of the U.S. proposal, but so far no return proposal has been presented to the Joe Biden administration.
The construction of the Russian-German gas pipeline is strongly opposed by Poland, and the Baltic States. Critics of Nord Stream 2 indicate that the project would increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas and extend the Kremlin's influence over European politics. The project is supported by Germany, Austria and several other EU Member States.
