What is Nord Stream 2?

Nord Stream 2 is a system of two offshore natural gas pipelines running from Ust-Luga in Russia to Lubmin in Germany. This is in addition to another two pipelines – Nord Stream 1 – running from Vyborg in Russia to Lubmin. The first pipeline of Nord Stream 2 was completed in June 2021 and the second in September 2021.

The Nord Stream projects have been strongly opposed by the USA and Ukraine due to concerns they will increase Russia’s influence in Europe. It is feared that Nord Stream 2 could also facilitate a Russian invasion of Ukraine as Moscow would no longer be dependent on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure to supply its European customers. Two sanction bills have been passed in Washington DC on the pipeline.

To date, there have been no gas supplies from Nord Stream 2 as the pipeline awaits certification by the German regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur.

Read more about Nord Stream 2 here.