The U.S. will waive the application of sanctions on Nord Stream construction companies, Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State said.
According to the U.S. Department of State, On Wednesday, May 19, the agency submitted a report to Congress pursuant to the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEESA), as amended, listing four vessels, five entities, and one individual involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including Nord Stream 2 AG and the company’s CEO Matthias Warnig.
The report refers to the lifting of persons and entities involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline’s construction, which will be subject be subject to sanctions. Simultaneously, the State Secretary claimed that it is not in the interest of the United States to impose further sanctions against European companies involved in construction.
“Today’s actions demonstrate the Administration’s commitment to energy security in Europe, consistent with the President’s pledge to rebuild relationships with our allies and partners in Europe,” Blinken said.
“Furthermore, I have determined that it is in the national interest of the United States to waive the application of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, its CEO Matthias Warnig, and Nord Stream 2 AG’s corporate officers. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also anticipates issuing guidance allowing for the continuation of various transactions and activities involving the Marine Rescue Service that are unrelated to Nord Stream 2 construction – including on a range of search and rescue, environmental, and other missions,” U.S. State Secretary added.
With this, the U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on four courts and four legal entities that are related to the laying of the Russian gas pipeline. In particular, the Maritime Rescue Service of the Russian Federation became subject to sanctions.