Recently Denmark released its strong position saying it plans to use its veto right and prevent the Russian project to pass through its territorial waters. Thus, the theory is confirmed that the loudly advertised second "Nord Stream" is one more idée fixe of the Kremlin: after the "South" and "Turkish" streams, which "died" at the projecting stage or start of construction. The same is for the "Nord stream-1", which Russia was able to run, but failed to use at full capacity.
The major lobbyist of the "Nord Stream-2" is Germany. Poland, the Baltic States and Slovakia oppose it; in case of project realization they will appear to be out of the game. As well as a very powerful player in world politics — the United States of America.
The official Stockholm takes a pause, but the Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate of Denmark Lars Christian Lilleholt gently hinted that the government could tell Russia "No" which is so needed for its neighbours. "We want to have the possibility to say "yes" or "no" from a perspective of security and foreign policy," the official said.
It is likely that the position of Copenhagen was influenced by the letter of a group of U.S. senators to the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, in which a request to prevent the implementation of one more "Stream" was made. Because, according to experts, it is not only about the ambitions of Ukraine or the Baltic and Scandinavian States, but about the threat to put Europe on the Russian gas needle.
This opinion is shared by the current US administration. In particular, the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bridget A. Brink said that the project, which would concentrate 80% of European gas imports from Russia, was a threat to Europe and Ukraine.
"What is being done in Russia itself fits into the scheme of "setback pipe", - said the energy expert, president of the Centre for Global Studies "Strategy XXI" Mykhailo Gonchar. He points out that the current situation is similar to preparations for the construction of "South Stream", which was abandoned by Russia because of the position of the European Commission, but at that time a lot of money had been invested in the project.
"Of course, they can de facto start the construction, hoping that the issue will be resolved. The position is about the same as with the developers in Kyiv: first, to seize sites for buildings, second, to raise funds to begin works, and then to appeal to the authorities to legalize a project, they say, the funds are invested, investors are waiting but you are putting all on hold, — Gonchar said. — Such raider strategy dominates". And now Denmark and the United States made a stand against this scheme.
