Merkel Holds Talks with Ukrainian President... Zelensky: "Pipelines Are Dangerous Geopolitical Weapons"
Germany Agrees to Jointly Develop Renewable Energy with Ukraine
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a strong warning message that if Russia weaponizes the Russia-Germany direct gas pipeline bypassing Ukraine, 'Nord Stream 2,' sanctions will be imposed in response.
According to foreign media on the 22nd (local time), Chancellor Merkel visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, she said at a joint press conference, "If Russia uses this pipeline as a weapon, Germany and Europe will impose new sanctions."
Merkel emphasized, "Gas should not be used as a geopolitical weapon. It is important that Ukraine remains a transit country for the transportation of Russian gas to Europe."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
She continued, "We take Ukraine's concerns very seriously, and I have also discussed this with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow."
In this regard, President Zelensky said he views the Nord Stream 2 pipeline not as an economic project but as a 'political and security issue,' asserting, "The pipeline is considered a dangerous geopolitical weapon of the Kremlin."
Earlier, Russia has been promoting the construction project of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which doubles the transport capacity of the existing 'Nord Stream' pipeline connecting northern Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea seabed, together with Germany since 2015.
It is reported that only about 15 km remains until the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Ukraine is concerned that once this pipeline becomes operational, Russia will completely shut down its own transit pipelines that have been mainly used for gas exports to Europe.
Additionally, Western countries including the United States have raised concerns that the completion of this pipeline will increase Europe's dependence on Russian energy.
The gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine will expire in 2024.
In fact, if that happens, Ukraine will lose annual revenue of 2 to 3 billion dollars from gas transit fees.
In response, President Zelensky demanded at the press conference that even after the Nord Stream 2 pipeline becomes operational, the extension of the agreement with Russia regarding the operation of the existing Europe-bound pipelines via Ukraine must be firmly guaranteed. He also emphasized, "Ukraine is the country facing the greatest risk due to the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline."
Before visiting Ukraine, Chancellor Merkel visited Moscow on the 20th and after talks with President Putin, pledged that Germany will continue discussions with Russia to maintain the Ukraine transit pipeline beyond 2024.
However, Putin expressed a reserved stance, stating that while Russia intends to continue supplying gas to Europe via Ukraine after 2024, everything depends on how much Russian gas Europe will purchase.
Bloomberg reported that political conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have led to two reductions in the volume of gas exported to Europe over the past 15 years.
Meanwhile, at the talks on this day, Germany agreed to jointly develop green hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies to support Ukraine's energy independence.
This follows the agreement between the United States and Germany in July to create a $1 billion (approximately 1.15 trillion KRW) 'Green Fund' to invest in Ukraine's renewable energy development.
Germany expects that the investment of the Green Fund will offset the reduction in Ukraine's gas transit fee revenue caused by the completion of Nord Stream 2.
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