Russia initiates process to fill fuel gas in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Moscow – In defiance of the opposition from the United States and other leading countries, Russia has initiated the process to fill gas in the completed ‘Nord Stream 2’ fuel pipeline. This development becomes significant given the fuel crisis developing in Europe. Last month, the Russian company Gazprom declared that the ‘Nord Stream 2’ pipeline was complete.

Following the conflict sparked with Ukraine over Crimea, Russia had started exploring alternative modes to supply fuel to the European countries. The decision to build the Nord Stream pipelines was taken with this background. The first phase has been completed. Besides, the ambitious Nord Stream 2 project, connecting Russia and Germany, also has been completed. Russia has assured to increase the gas supply to Europe by 100 billion cubic metres through this nearly 1,230 kilometres long pipeline.

Former US President Donald Trump had imposed sanctions against the pipeline taking a very aggressive stand. Along with Ukraine, leading European countries like France and Poland also had strongly opposed the project. Poland has warned of continuing to oppose the project till the very end, using the legal processes in the European Union. But following the change of guard in the United States, Germany and Russia took rapid steps to complete the project. The Biden administration gave its consent for completion of the project, following discussions with Germany.

Against this background, completing project construction and initiating the process of filling gas in the pipeline become significant developments. The rates for natural gas along with crude oil are currently at very high levels. At the same time, indications are being received that supply is limited as compared to the demand. Therefore, concerns are being expressed that the European countries will face fuel shortages at the peak of winter. Thus, as per analysts, Russia’s activation of the pipeline in the current situation has become warning bells for the European countries.

But the Russian sources claimed that filling gas in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a technical test process; the supply of gas will not be started to the European countries through the pipeline anytime soon.