Ukraine names its condition for launching Nord Stream II
14 June 2021
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on June
14 that Ukraine would be willing to accept the launch of the Nord Stream II
pipeline in return for the deoccupation of Ukrainian territory and ensuring
energy security. He called it “fair compensation for threats”.
The tweet comes as U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in
Brussels for two days of meetings including a one-day summit of NATO member
states Ukraine’s security situation, Nord Stream II and Russian aggression are
among the topics under discussion. German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters
that she and Biden spoke at the G7 meeting in Cornwall, and told Biden that
Ukraine must remain a gas transit partner.
James Hydzik: Kuleba’s
posturing underscores the weak position of the Ukrainian government regarding
Nord Stream. At this point, it can do little more than hope that its interests
will be taken into account, as the direct interests of the Germans and
Americans will come to the fore. Kuleba’s tweet might be the strongest action
that would not be considered an intrusion by its intended targets.
