US Waives Sanctions on Firm Working on Germany-Russia Pipeline  

The U.S. will waive sanctions against the German company leading construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, according to a State Department report sent to Congress on Wednesday. 

The report noted that while the German firm Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO had violated U.S. law in their work with Russia to build the natural gas pipeline linking the two countries, it was in U.S. national interest to waive the sanctions.  The report noted that sanctions would be imposed on several Russian ships and companies for their work on the project.  Russia and some U.S. lawmakers reacted to the decision before it was officially announced. Axios first reported that the waiver was impending on Tuesday.