Russian President Vladimir Putin may not succeed in getting Nord Stream 2 launched by Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August, but he certainly reaped maximum propaganda benefits during Angela Merkel’s last visit to Moscow as German Chancellor. Judging by the photos, it was warm smiles all the way and, indeed, why not? Nord Stream 2 is about to be launched, despite the legitimate security concerns expressed by Ukraine and many of its neighbors. Merkel made the standard assurances, about commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, etc., but she made them from Moscow with Germany about to jeopardize Ukraine’s role as a transit country for Russian natural gas, one of the main factors in deterring further Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Nord Stream 2
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The Nord Stream 2 pipeline under construction by vessel Pioneering Spirit on Feb. 25, 2019.
