U.S. senators submit bill to expand sanctions against Nord Stream 2 pipeline

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators submitted
legislation on June 4 to expand sanctions against those responsible for the
construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, the Ukrainian Embassy
in the U.S. announced in a Facebook post that day. The legislation consists of
additional details and expanded sanctions based on those initially introduced
in the legislation, “On the defense of Europe’s energy security.” The sanctions
apply to shipping firms installing the pipeline and those firms involved with
them, as well as any companies that offer certification for the pipeline’s
launch. The legislation awaits approval by both the U.S. House and Senate.

Zenon Zawada: It’s
impressive that U.S. support for Ukraine amid Russian aggression has been among
the most unifying positions between the bitterly divided parties. Maintaining
this support needs to be a top priority for Ukraine’s leaders, especially
President Zelensky. Russia is currently trying to undermine this support by
provoking a conflict between President Zelensky and likely Democrat Party
presidential contender Joe Biden with the recent leaks of illegally recorded,
alleged phone conversations between Biden and former President Poroshenko.

In his latest display of trying to please everybody, Zelensky
first seemed to endorse opening criminal cases for state
treason in a May 21 press conference, then seemed to back off
when telling the telegraph.co.uk news site in a June 1 interview that “these
recordings are not a priority,” prefacing this comment by stating that he
understands that he enjoys bipartisan support in both the U.S. House and
Senate.

We expect this legislation will be approved, not only
in the interests of thwarting Russia, but to promote U.S. energy exports to
Europe, which have increased in recent years, particularly to eastern European
countries like Poland and, most recently, Belarus. Whether they will be
effective is unclear.