Russia Stays Enemy Image in U.S.-German Deal on Nord Stream 2

News that an agreement okaying the construction of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline was signed during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s meeting with the U.S. President in Washington, D.C., is welcome, but there are aspects reflecting the impact of geopolitical views about Russia. Both countries want to launch sanctions against Russia, should the latter use this pipeline to arm-twist Ukraine or stop gas deliveries via the Ukrainian pipeline grid. This may easily develop into a trap for Germany: the German government makes a special reference to the extension of the Russian-Ukrainian gas cooperation agreement beyond the year 2024. Whereas no details on potential new sanctions against Russia have been publicized yet, experts hint that a non-extension of the agreement might trigger western sanctions against Russia.