The United States recently claimed that it will launch new sanctions against Russia, and some parties involved in this pipeline are included in the sanctions list. On the same day, German Chancellor Merkel opened the "Farewell Visit", arriving in Russia at the first stop, and then rushed to Ukraine to exchange views with these two countries on Beixi-2. Merkel has been working hard to mediate the relations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, and strive to achieve the satisfaction of all parties. However, as she is about to officially step down in September 2021, the "ventilation" of Beixi 2 will be faced again. challenge.

No fear of sanctions

The US State Department issued a statement stating that a new report on sanctions against Beixi 2 has been submitted to the US Congress. The new sanctions include a ship and two Russian entities, but the US has retained an exemption right at the same time.

According to US media sources, the new sanctions include the St. Petersburg-based Nobility construction company, the Ostap Sheremeta supply ship and its owner, and the Russian insurance company Constanta, which is Russia’s withdrawal from Beixi under the threat of US sanctions among other insurance companies. Established after the 2nd. In view of the imminent completion of Beixi-2, Russia will not "take the new US sanctions seriously." As of the end of July 2021, Beixi 2 has been completed 99%. By the third week of August 2021, Beixi 2 will be completed with only 15 kilometers left.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on August 21, 2021, emphasizing that Russia will take countermeasures and saying that the new sanctions imposed by the United States cannot prevent Beixi 2 from being completed. "We believe that the US is unwilling to build US-Russian relations on the basis of partnership by taking such hostile actions," said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On August 20, 2021, Merkel arrived in Russia and held talks with Russian President Putin for nearly three hours. The two sides emphasized that the talks were "quite constructive." Putin said that Germany is one of Russia's priority partners in the political and economic fields. The two countries have established good relations over the years, maintaining regular contacts and candid communication. Merkel said that some positive factors in the relations between the two countries are worth mentioning, especially Beixi 2, which is not a bilateral project between Germany and Russia, but a project involving a number of European countries. Putin emphasized: "Beixi No. 2 has surpassed the old natural gas pipeline system transiting Ukraine in all aspects. Not only has the distance been shortened by about 2,000 kilometers, but it is also constructed in accordance with modern ecological standards."

Regarding the transit of natural gas through Ukraine, Putin said that Russia is willing to extend the Russia-Ukraine natural gas transit agreement that will expire in 2024, but there are still many details to be further communicated. According to the "Joint Statement between the United States and Germany on Supporting Ukraine and European Energy Security and Climate Goals" reached by Germany and the United States in July 2021, the United States does not object to the completion of Beixi 2, but to prevent Russia from using the pipeline as a tool of political pressure Germany must take all measures to advance the Russian-Ukrainian transit agreement for another 10 years.

The U.S. pointed out that, when the U.S. is unable to prevent the "ventilation" of Beixi No. 2, appropriately granting European economic autonomy can exchange European countries closer to the U.S. in return. On August 22, 2021, Merkel rushed to Ukraine again to exchange views with Ukrainian President Zelensky on Beixi 2. During her last visit to Ukraine on the occasion of leaving office, Merkel tried to quell Ukraine's concerns about Beixi 2, but the effect was minimal. Jiandao reported that Beixi 2 became the main topic of the talks. Zelensky insisted that it was a “dangerous geopolitical weapon” and refused to accept Merkel’s guarantee, arguing that Russia’s commitment to extend the agreement lacked details. , The content is very general. It is understood that Zelensky plans to visit the United States at the end of August 2021 to discuss North Stream 2 with US President Biden. Jiandao.com pointed out that if Russia stops transiting Ukraine to transport gas, Ukraine will lose US$2 billion in revenue each year.

Increased challenge

Jiandao.com pointed out that ensuring the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine is the core topic of the meeting between Merkel and Zelensky. While mediating Russia-Ukraine relations, Merkel is also urging Kiev to prepare for the eventual transition to other energy sources in Europe. Germany plans to provide more than 1 billion U.S. dollars to help Ukraine develop renewable energy, and at the same time, it will donate at least 175 million U.S. dollars to the "Ukraine Green Fund".

It is foreseeable that with Merkel's departure, Beixi No. 2 will encounter more uncertainties and challenges. It is reported that although Merkel’s CDU party supports the Beixi No. 2 project, the CDU prime minister candidate Armin Laschet publicly stated: “If Russia does not abide by the rules or pressure Ukraine, even if the Beixi No. 2 When finished, we will press the stop button at any time."

In addition, although the German Social Democratic Party supports the Beixi No. 2 project, the Green Party, which has soared in 2021, strongly opposes the project. It is worth noting that the recent slowdown of Russia's natural gas supply to Europe has triggered various speculations in the industry. Russia seems to be paving the way for Beixi 2's "ventilation" by restricting gas supply to Europe.

Commodity intelligence service Anxunsi pointed out that Russia’s total natural gas exports to Europe in July 2021 were reduced by 1 billion cubic meters compared with June 2021. The industry speculated that Russia’s move was aimed at indirect reduction due to the recent surge in natural gas prices. Transit fees in Ukraine. "Gazprom said that the slowing down of gas transmission coincided with traditional regular preventive maintenance and preparations for winter gas supply, but it is hard to say that this behavior was not for Beixi No. 2'clearing land'." An Xunsi European Gas Analyst Tom Marzec-Manser said.

Keywords: new energy, overseas engineering, international engineering construction, foreign engineering construction news

Industry analysis agency S&P Global Platts predicts that Russia's natural gas transmission to Europe will gradually recover in the next few weeks, and Beixi 2 may officially transmit gas in October 2021.Editor/XuNing