Steinmeier stated:
- We failed on many points
- We failed to build a common European house
- It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014
- My holding on to Nord Stream 2 was clearly a mistake
Also the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel remained adamant until the end of her time in office late last year that Nord Stream 2 had nothing to do with politics.
The $11 billion pipeline from Russia to Germany has long been a politically hot issue, more so with Europe hit by sky-high energy prices.
The pipeline has long been opposed by the U.S., Poland and the Baltic countries, who say it would increase Europe’s reliance on Russian energy supplies.
US pressure has so far managed to delay the pipeline’s completion by over 2 years, citing concerns about the EU’s energy security and independence – and urging the Europeans to buy more expensive US LNG.
In February 2022, German chancellor Olaf Scholz put on ice the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Moscow's recognition of 2 breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas, 55% of the natural gas, 52% of the coal and 34% of mineral oil used in the country comes from Russia.
