Talks on Nord Stream 2 begin in Berlin

Ministerial discussions between Ukraine, Russia, and the EU regarding the future delivery of Russian gas to Western Europe began yesterday in Berlin, Tagesspiegel reports. Economy minister Peter Altmaier is “optimistic” that a resolution to the dispute over the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be reached, according to the article. Upon its completion, expected next year, the energy project will allow for a higher volume of gas to be exported directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing transit countries in Eastern Europe, such as Ukraine. In the first round of talks, negotiators aim to both define the issues to be discussed and set a roadmap for the negotiations.

Read the article in German here and find the economy ministry’s press release in German here. 

For background, read the news digest item Trump lashes out at Nord Stream 2, says Germany is “totally controlled” by Russia and the factsheet Germany’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.