Checkmate, Putin! Germany warns 'high price to pay' over Ukraine – gas pipeline to be cut

GERMANY has sent Vladimir Putin a stark warning after threatening to scrap a gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine.

Russia: Putin ‘playing a game of chess’ says expert

New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested on Tuesday that Berlin might take a tougher line on the Kremlin as fears that Moscow may launch an invasion on Ukraine continue to grow. Mr Sholz met with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the build-up of Russian troops at the Ukraine-Russia border. The German leader has backed calls for sanctions to be slapped on the contraversial gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, but now his oppostition to the project appears to be growing stronger.

When asked about Nord Stream 2, Mr Sholz told reporters: "It is clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine." 

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel struck a deal with Mr Putin for Nord Stream 2 to transit gas from Russia to Germany, bypassing Poland and Ukraine. 

Mr Putin has been pushing to speed up the approval of the pipeline so gas delivery to begin, but German regulators have suspended its certification.

Now, with gas flow still yet to begin, some observers say it can be used as leverage to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine.

Joe Biden's Security Advisor has said expressed this opinion. 

Putin

Putin has been warned that Germany will cut a gas pipeline project if Russia invades Ukraine (Image: Getty )

Olaf Sholz

Olaf Sholz, Germany's new Chancellor, may be considering scrapping Nord Stream 2 (Image: Getty )

He told reporters in a press conference: "It is not leverage for Putin. 

"It is leverage for the West because if Vladimir Putin wants to see gas flowing through the pipeline, he may not want to take the risk of invading Ukraine."

Mr Sholz may fulfill Washington's wishes and scrap the project entriely, as Mr Biden has previously called for.

The White House asked Berlin back in December to commit to halting the project if Mr Putin was to launch an attack.

READ MORE: Scientists warn that Earth's insides are cooling faster than expected

 

Nord STream 2

Nord Stream 2 will transit gas from Russia to Germany (Image: Getty )

But this decision may ultimately be out of Germany's hands. 

That is because the fate of the gas project is still subject to EU regulators. 

The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said last week that approval was tied to any potential conflict with Russia over Ukraine.

But critics of the pipeline argue that it should be central to negotiations. 

DON'T MISS 
Scholz cripples to Putin's pressure and fails to sanction Russia [INSIGHT] 
Scientists discover new approach to beat antibiotic-resistant bacteria [REVEAL] 
Egypt news: 'Strange’ spots discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb explained [REPORT]

 

Joe Biden

Biden waived sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in May (Image: Getty )

Yuriy Vitrenko, CEO of Ukraine gas giant Naftogaz, told CNBC: "It is really difficult to understand how come it can be unnoticed or it bears no consequences? That is something that should come first, so first they should sanction Nord Stream 2.

"They should show again their firm stance to Putin."

Mr Vitrenko has previously dubbed the pipeline a "geopolitical weapon".

But his latest comments came after a vote to re-introduce sanctions on Nord Stream 2 were voted down in the US Senate. 

Mr Biden had also waived sanctions on the pipeline back in May.

 

Yuriy Vitrenko

Yuriy Vitrenko says Nord Stream 2 should be a central part of negotiations with Russia (Image: PA)

Mr Stoltenberg told reporters at the joint press conference with Mr Sholz: "NATO's allies are prepared to discuss concrete proposals on how to reduce risks and enhance transparency regarding military activities and how to reduce space and cyber threats," he told a joint news conference with Scholz.

"We are also prepared to resume the exchange of briefings on exercises and our respective nuclear policies."

Russia has denied any intention to invade Ukraine, but has said it might take unspecified military action if its demands are not met.

This includes a promise by the NATO alliance never to admit Kiev.

 

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?