Express.co.uk ANGELA MERKEL has been criticized for being the “main defender” of the controversial gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine forces a re-evaluation of the former leader’s foreign policy.
By ELLIE COOK
The second incarnation of the Nord Stream pipeline was started in 2011, but the almost-completed pipeline has faced strong opposition across the EU and the US. It was designed to funnel gas from Russia to Germany’s coastline via 1,200 of pipes under the Baltic Sea, costing in the region of $12 billion.
Germany is reliant on Moscow for around 40 percent of its gas supply, and critics vocally argued the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would only increase European dependence on Russia.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine rumbled on for over a month, Germany declared an “early warning” for a gas shortage in the country.
Minister of Economics Robert Habeck said: “We must increase precautionary measures in order to be prepared in the event of an escalation on the part of Russia.”
Economist Anders Åslund laid the blame for encouraging European reliance on Russian oil at former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s doorstep through her commitment to the highly controversial pipeline…READ FULL ARTICLE HERE…| World | News | Express.co.uk
