Challenging Germany, US opens way for sanctions on Russia pipelineSecretary of State Mike Pompeo threatens harsher measures against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline during a news conference at the State Department. WASHINGTON - Escalating pressure on Germany, US President Donald Trump's administration opened the way Wednesday for tough sanctions as the ally moves forward with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Russia. Former US officials Brian O'Toole and Daniel Fried, now fellows at the Atlantic Council, said Pompeo's announcement appeared to be a "major escalation" over Nord Stream 2. Putin said in January that he hoped Nord Stream 2 would be completed by early 2021 after "several months" of delay caused by the US sanctions. Despite Trump's anger over Nord Stream 2, he has sought to build relations with Putin and has mused of inviting him to an expanded G7 summit.

Source: Bangkok Post July 15, 2020 21:33 UTC