Last month, a US investor approached senior German economic officials with a bold proposal to acquire a Russian underwater gas pipeline. Despite years of international tension surrounding the pipeline, he suggested reactivating it to supply natural gas to Germany.
Stephen P. Lynch, the investor, had previously pitched this plan to the Trump administration, which favored US control over critical energy infrastructure. Currently, German officials expressed interest in hearing Lynch’s proposal to manage the acquisition of the heavily criticized Baltic Sea pipeline known as Nord Stream 2.
During a meeting on May 6 in Berlin, German officials were skeptical, questioning how Lynch intended to convince them to allow Russian gas to flow through a pipeline partially sabotaged in 2022. Lynch responded that persuading them was not his responsibility and predicted that Germany would eventually recognize the benefits of importing affordable Russian gas once again.
The future of Europe’s energy supply has become a focal point of geopolitical tension and vulnerability amid recent diplomatic shifts, including renewed interactions between former US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The continent is actively seeking a path to energy independence.
In recent weeks, leaders in Berlin and Brussels have taken steps to rule out any new imports of Russian gas, aiming to decisively end decades of reliance on cheap Russian energy that previously gave Moscow significant leverage. When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets with President Biden at the White House this Thursday, he is expected to reaffirm his opposition to the use of Nord Stream 2, according to his spokesperson.
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