Germany will act if Russia invades Ukraine, possibly halt Nord Stream 2 pipeline: reports

U.S. officials told Congress they have been in contact with their German counterparts in the event of an invasion, a congressional aide told Reuters.

U.S. officials have told members of Congress they have an understanding with Germany to shut the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine, a congressional aide told Reuters on Tuesday.

The aide said U.S. officials told Congress they have been in contact with their German counterparts in the event of an invasion, given the massing of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine.

U.S. officials say they have received assurances from Germany the pipeline would be turned off, the aide said. But it was unclear if the two sides had agreed on a definition of invasion, the aide said.

When asked about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Biden administration is in “intensive consultations” with the new German government over a possible response.

Nuland said the U.S. believes Germany would be ready to take significant action if Russia launches an attack.

However, a European diplomat told Reuters U.S. officials had made it clear to allies that they would act to sanction the pipeline in the event of an invasion, which could make any German action a moot point.

“If the U.S. imposes (additional) sanctions, it’s an academic point, because no one will be able to do business with Nord Stream 2 for fear of running afoul of U.S. sanctions.”

German officials told reporters on Tuesday that there was still a process to complete before the pipeline would even start operations.