Nord Stream and Why Trum mentioned in the Debate
Nord Stream is a network of offshore natural gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. It consists of two separate projects: Nord Stream 1 (NS1) and Nord Stream 2 (NS2), each comprising two physical pipes.
History and Development
- Nord Stream 1 began operations in 2011-2012, running from Vyborg, Russia to Lubmin, Germany.
- Nord Stream 2 was completed in 2021 but never became operational.
- The project was controversial from the start, with the U.S. opposing it due to concerns over increased European dependence on Russian energy.
Pathways
- NS1 runs from Vyborg, Russia to Lubmin, Germany.
- NS2 runs from Ust-Luga, Russia, also terminating in Lubmin, Germany.
- Both pipelines bypass traditional transit countries like Ukraine and Poland.
Current Status
- As of September 2022, Nord Stream is inactive.
- On September 26, 2022, three of the four pipes were severely damaged in what is believed to be an act of sabotage.
- Gazprom had already halted gas flow through NS1 indefinitely in August 2022, citing maintenance issues.
- NS2 never became operational, as Germany suspended its certification process in February 2022 following Russia’s recognition of separatist regions in Ukraine.
Trump’s Mention in the Debate
Trump brought up Nord Stream in the recent presidential debate despite its current inactivity for several reasons:
- To criticize Biden’s foreign policy, falsely claiming that Biden revived the project.
- To portray himself as tough on Russia, asserting he had ended the pipeline project during his presidency.
- To use it as an example in his broader critique of the current administration’s energy policies.
