Energy equipment

Washington, D.C. (Reuters) – The United States has introduced new sanctions targeting several Russian entities connected to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, including additional measures against the pipeline’s operator, the State Department announced on Wednesday.     The statement revealed that sanctions were being re-imposed on entities previously designated for their role in constructing the pipeline, alongside newly identified vessel owners already under sanction. Key targets include Russian marine service providers, water transport companies, the state-owned maritime rescue service, and over a dozen vessels. Additionally, Nord Stream 2 AG, the pipeline operator, and a Russian insurer involved in underwriting activities for companies participating in the project were sanctioned. Deputy State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel reaffirmed U.S. opposition to Nord Stream 2, describing it as a geopolitical tool of Russia and stressing continued resistance to any efforts to revive the pipeline.     "We remain committed to preventing Russia from exploiting its energy resources as leverage for political gain," Patel emphasized during a press briefing. Constructed by Russia's state-controlled Gazprom under the Baltic Sea, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was designed to transport Arctic natural gas to Germany. However, it suffered significant damage on September 26, 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. No party has officially claimed responsibility for the damage. The project has faced criticism from Washington long before the conflict, as it enabled Russia to bypass Ukraine, potentially stripping the country of vital transit revenue while weakening its stance against Russian aggression.     Western speculation has suggested the possibility of Moscow sabotaging its own pipeline—a theory dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as "absurd." Meanwhile, a report from The Washington Post indicated that U.S. intelligence had prior knowledge of a Ukrainian plan to target Nord Stream 2 months before the incident. In response, Russia has accused the United States, Britain, and Ukraine of orchestrating the explosions, which severed a major Russian energy link to the European market. These nations have denied any involvement. The escalation in sanctions marks a continued effort by the U.S. to curtail Russia’s energy dominance and its ability to use natural resources as political tools amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.