The German government is preparing measures to block the relaunch of Nord Stream 2, as reports emerge of secret negotiations between the U.S. and Russia over reviving the controversial gas pipeline.
Berlin sees a real possibility that Washington could strike a deal with Moscow, and is now looking for ways to prevent it, according to sources cited by Bild.
U.S.-Russia Talks on Nord Stream 2?
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that the Trump administration is exploring a way to include Nord Stream 2 in a broader reset of relations with Moscow, possibly as part of a peace deal for Ukraine.
According to the Financial Times, Matthias Warnig, the former CEO of Nord Stream 2 AG and a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has been working behind the scenes to restart the pipeline with American investment.
Unnamed Washington officials told FT that Trump’s team is aware of the proposal and is considering it. However, Richard Grenell, Trump’s special envoy, has denied any involvement in such discussions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also claimed to have no knowledge of the reported talks.
German Concerns Over Energy Dependence
The German government fears that Washington could push the project forward at the private sector level, allowing U.S. investors to act as intermediaries in resuming Russian gas exports to Germany.
This comes after American investor Stephen Lynch openly expressed his willingness to buy Nord Stream 2, promising to "derussify" the pipeline and bring it under U.S. control.
Nord Stream 2 was never activated, as Germany halted its certification in early 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Later that year, a mysterious explosion damaged both Nord Stream pipelines, leaving only one functional line.
Germany’s Next Move
Berlin is now considering legal and regulatory barriers to prevent any potential relaunch, reinforcing its commitment to energy independence from Russia.
The situation adds another layer of complexity to the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, as Trump’s foreign policy pivot toward Moscow raises concerns in both Europe and Kyiv.
