Matthias Warnig, a former spy and longtime associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is reportedly seeking U.S. support to revive the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Financial Times reported on March 2, citing undisclosed sources.
Warnig, who previously led Nord Stream 2’s parent company on behalf of Kremlin-controlled gas giant Gazprom until 2023, is reportedly attempting to establish contact with U.S. President Donald Trump’s team through American businessmen. His lobbying efforts come amid broader discussions on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and reestablishing economic ties between Washington and Moscow.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, designed to transport Russian natural gas to Europe, were severely damaged in an apparent sabotage attack in September 2022. While the pipelines were fully owned by Russia, they had been co-financed by five European energy firms.
Warnig and Nord Stream 2 AG were sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden’s administration. Any potential deal to restart the pipeline would require Washington to lift these sanctions and for Germany to approve the resumption of Russian gas flows to Europe, Financial Times reported.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such an agreement, warning that Berlin’s involvement in reviving Nord Stream 2 could "cause huge rifts" within the European Union, which continues to impose sanctions on Russia.
Several European officials aware of the backchannel discussions “are concerned and have discussed the matter,” Financial Times added.
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