Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator breaks contracts with employees after sanctions

The company operating the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project – which is led by Russia – said on Tuesday that it had to terminate contracts with employees because of US sanctions.

“Following recent geopolitical developments that led to the imposition of US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company had to terminate employee contracts. We are very sorry for this development,” he said in an emailed statement.

The United States imposed sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG last week after Russia recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine before its invasion of the country.

US President Joe Biden formally announced in a statement the sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, a Swiss registered company whose parent company is Russian gas giant Gazprom, and its corporate directors.

“These steps are another part of our initial installment of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. As I made clear, we will not hesitate to take further steps if Russia continues to escalate,” the president wrote in a statement.

Biden also applauded Germany’s decision on the 22nd to stop certifying the pipeline, writing: “Through his actions, President Putin has provided the world with an overwhelming incentive to move away from Russian gas and other forms of energy. I want to thank Chancellor Scholz for his close partnership and continued dedication to holding Russia accountable for its actions.”

On February 22, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany would suspend certification of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Russia’s decision to recognize independence from breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Russia is responsible for 1/3 of the gas consumed in Europe. Germany is at the center of pressure over the 1,200-kilometer Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was completed in September in an $11 billion mega-project.

“We must reassess the situation, in particular in relation to Nord Stream 2,” Scholz told a news conference with his Irish counterpart (Micheál Martin), adding that the local Ministry of Economy will re-examine the certification process due to Russia’s actions.

The war this Tuesday (1st)

At least six people were injured, including a child, in an explosion in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said in a Telegram post on Tuesday.

The blast hit a government building, according to videos of the incident posted by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and government officials. The clips were also published on Tuesday, local time, and were verified by CNN.

Russia is waging war in violation of international humanitarian law. Kills civilians, destroys civilian infrastructure. Russiaʼs main target is large cities that are now fired at by its missiles.

📍Kharkiv, Administration building pic.twitter.com/BJgyNnDp1h

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) March 1, 2022

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kubela said “Russian missile attacks” caused the explosion. He then reinforced the call for other countries to “isolate Russia completely”.

The search for possible victims continues, according to the government.

On Monday, at least nine civilians were killed by Russian rocket attacks in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. According to him, three children died.

“The missiles hit residential buildings, killing and injuring peaceful civilians. Kharkiv hasn’t seen this much damage in a long time. And that’s horrible,” he said. Terekhov said four people left the shelter to get water and were killed.

A family of two adults and three children were burned alive in their car, he said. Another 37 people were injured. The administration of the city of Kharkiv gave the same figures.

* With information from Reuters